Iranians Unclear On Cause Of Port Explosion Which Killed 70, Injured 1200

NEW YORK (VINnews) — Investigations into the massive explosion that occurred last week at Rajaei Port in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, are still ongoing, and authorities are gradually revealing the extent of the losses.

Mohammad Hassan Sader, a senior Iranian official, estimated yesterday that the losses suffered by merchants due to the incident at Rajaei Port amount to $3 to $4 billion, due to the extensive damage and the halting of container releases from customs.

He added that the accumulation of 130,000 containers that were not properly cleared contributed to a disaster of this magnitude, according to Al Arabiya. The Iranian official focused his remarks on the damage to merchants, while ignoring the massive losses to infrastructure and facilities at the port, which is the country’s largest in terms of trade.

The official also pointed to a lack of transparency in management and poor data sharing among different agencies as factors that worsened the crisis. He called for effective digital planning and a secure environment for economic data sharing.

As a reminder, on April 26, a massive explosion rocked Rajaei Port, the main commercial port in Bandar Abbas. The blast resulted in 70 fatalities and over 1,200 injuries. Yesterday, Iranian authorities arrested two suspects, one of whom is a senior government official, in connection with the explosion.

As for the circumstances of the event, the investigation is still underway to determine the main cause. Initial reports suggested the explosion may have been caused by a chemical substance stored on site. Various sources, including an Iranian parliament member, attributed the incident to “Israeli involvement,” while other official sources believe it stemmed from “internal factors related to mismanagement of the containers.”