According to a report by the Islamic Republic News Agency, there was a fierce explosion at the Raja port in Iran, injuring at least 516 people. The local media outlet gave this information quoting Iran’s National Emergency Organization spokesperson Mojtaba Khalidi as saying. The number of casualties in the attack has not been confirmed yet.
The explosion occurred at the Raja port just outside the monkey Abbas, which is a major feature for the container shipment for the Islamic Republic, which manages the goods about 80 million tonnes (72.5 million metric tons) annually.
The explosion occurred at a time when Iran and the United States met Tehran’s fast growing nuclear program in Oman on Saturday for a third round of talks. On social media, the video appeared to be a black smoke coming out after the explosion. In other videos, glass pieces were seen flying from buildings several kilometers from the center of the explosion.
Officials have not yet given any reason for the explosion. Industrial accidents occur in Iran, especially in its old oil facilities, which are difficult to reach parts under international restrictions. But the Iranian government TV dismissed the possibility of any energy infrastructure or being damaged in particular explosion.
Provincial Disaster Management Officer Mehrdad Hasanzadeh told Irani government TV that the first reactions were trying to reach the area, while others were trying to vacate the site.
Hasanzaadeh said that the explosion occurred with containers at the Raja port of the city, but he did not explain. Government TV also reported that a building collapsed due to the explosion, although no other details were given immediately.
The Raja Port is located on the hormuz water-east, about 1,050 km (652 mi) from Iran’s capital Tehran, which is the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, through which 20% of the oil is traded.
