Death Toll from Shahid Rajaei Port Blast in Iran Rises to 46

IRAN – The death toll from the Shahid Rajaei Port blast in Iran that occurred on Saturday is now at 46 as of April 28, with at least 800 maintaining injuries. Monday was declared a public day of mourning.

Cause of Shahid Rajaei Port Blast

Initial reports from the Iran’s crisis management indicated that the blast was caused by negligence and shortcomings from poor quality of storage of chemicals in containers in the Shadid Rajaei port.

“The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers,” said the spokesperson for the Iran’s crisis management, Hossein Zafari.

He added that various warnings had been given to the port authorities from previous visits by the director general of the crisis management.

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered a detailed probe into the blast, sending the Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni to the site.

As of Sunday April 27, plumes of smoke could still be visible as the fires haven’t been fully contained.

Following the task given to him by the president, Interior Minister said that his first priority is to save lives and contain the fires to prevent them from spreading to other areas.

Iran‘s Pezeshkian stressed the need for a thorough probe into the cause of the blast and prevent any future occurrences.

He also ordered immediate aid for the injured, the delivery of medical supplies and rescue teams to the site.

Iran’s National Oil Products Refining and Distribution company has stated that the blast didn’t affect the nearby oil fields.