SA stands in 'solidarity' Iran after devastating explosion
The catastrophic explosion killed at least 70 people and injured more than 1 000 others.
Thick black smoke billowing at the scene of a massive explosion two days earlier at the Shahid Rajaee port dock southwest of Bandar Abbas in the Iranian province of Hormozgan. Picture: (Iranian Red Crescent / AFP)
Government has expressed its 'deepest condolences' to the Islamic Republic of Iran and its people following the devastating explosion that killed at least 70 people and injured more than 1 000 others.
The blast took place on Saturday at Shahid Rajaee Port in Iran's south near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes.
Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, who visited the affected area on Monday, told state TV that only '120 wounded are still in hospital'.
'Solidarity with the government and people of Iran'
South Africa's International Relations Department (Dirco) has extended its wishes to all those injured in the explosion, wishing them a speedy recovery.
'South Africa extends its heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured persons, including [those] from various other countries,' Dirco said
'We commend the efforts of the emergency response teams and volunteers who are working tirelessly to provide relief and support to those in need, and also commend governments who have provided swift support.
'We stand in solidarity with the government and people of Iran in the aftermath of this tragic accident,' Dirco added.
WATCH The aftermath of the explosion in Iran
Drone footage shows the destruction at Iran's largest port, Bandar Abbas, after a massive explosion killed at least 65 people and injured over 1,000, according to Iranian state media. pic.twitter.com/SMHWIIQJpc — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 29, 2025
ALSO READ: South Africa responds to claims of cooperating with Iran on nuclear energy [VIDEO]
Precautions
On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited hospitals treating the wounded in Bandar Abbas.
Since the explosion, authorities have ordered all schools and offices in the area to close and urged residents to avoid going outside 'until further notice' and use protective masks when doing so.
The explosion took place as Iranian and US delegations met in Oman for high-level talks on Tehran's nuclear programme,' according to Al Jazeera.
Nuclear talks
The two countries agreed on talks, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was 'extremely cautious' about the potential success of the negotiations aimed at resolving the decades-long nuclear stand-off.
US President Donald Trump has seemed confident in reaching a new pact with Iran that would guarantee Tehran does not make a nuclear bomb.
ALSO READ: SA joins other countries condemning Israel's attack on Iran
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