A massive explosion at a chemical factory killed at least 18 people and injured more than 700 others in Iran's largest port, Bandar Abbas.
The blast, which hit the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, came as Iran began a third round of nuclear talks with the United States in Oman, but there was no indication of a link between the two events. Hossein Zafari, a spokesman for Iran's crisis management organization, said the cause of the incident was mishandling of chemical containers.
"Previously, the Director General of Crisis Management had warned this port during their visits and pointed out the possibility of danger," Zafari said, reports A2 CNN.
However, an Iranian government spokesman said that while chemicals may have caused the explosion, it was not yet possible to determine the exact cause. President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered an investigation into the incident and dispatched his interior minister to the site, who said efforts were continuing to put out the fire and prevent it from spreading to other areas.
Iran's official news channels broadcast footage of a large cloud of black smoke rising over the port as a result of the explosion, writes A2 CNN.
Located near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Shahid Rajaee port is Iran's largest container hub, handling most of the country's containerized cargo, according to state media.
A series of deadly incidents have hit Iran's energy and industrial infrastructure in recent years, with many, like Saturday's explosion, blamed on negligence. (A2 Televizion)
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