A catastrophic explosion rocked the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, on April 26, 2025, killing at least four people and injuring more than 500, according to multiple reports from state media and international news outlets.
The blast, linked to a missile fuel shipment, caused widespread damage to the vital port facility and raised concerns about safety protocols and the nature of the cargo involved.
The explosion occurred early on April 26, 2025, at the Shahid Rajaee port, a key hub for Iran’s maritime trade and logistics.
According to Reuters, the blast was powerful enough to cause significant structural damage to the port infrastructure, with hundreds of people affected by the shockwave and subsequent fires.
State media, as cited by TRT World, confirmed the death toll at four, with over 500 individuals injured, many requiring immediate medical attention. CNN News 18 reported a slightly higher injury count, noting 561 people were affected, underscoring the scale of the disaster.
Posts on X, including those from Mathrubhumi English and ShoreEJV, described the explosion as “massive,” with videos circulating online showing thick plumes of smoke and emergency responders rushing to the scene.
While these posts provide a snapshot of public sentiment and initial reporting, they remain inconclusive without further verification from primary sources.
Preliminary investigations, as reported by state media and echoed by Reuters, suggest the explosion may have been triggered by a shipment of missile fuel or related volatile materials stored at the port.
The exact cause remains under investigation, with authorities yet to release an official statement confirming the nature of the cargo.
The involvement of missile fuel has raised questions about the port’s role in handling sensitive military materials and the adequacy of safety measures for such hazardous shipments.
The Daily Mail, via a post by ShoreEJV, noted Iran’s acknowledgment of the fatalities and the ongoing efforts to contain the aftermath.
However, no official confirmation has been made regarding the precise composition of the shipment or whether external factors, such as sabotage or an attack, played a role.
Given the sensitive nature of the incident, speculation on X and other platforms has been rife, but these claims lack substantiation and should be treated with caution.