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The Citizen
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
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. — 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
Ya Libnan
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Death toll in Iran's Bandar Abbas port blast rises to 70 and 1200 injured
Smoke rises following an explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, April 27, 2025. Iranian Red Crescent/WANA (West Asia News Agency) Handout via REUTERS Beirut – The death toll from a major explosion in Iran's most important container port of Bandar Abbas rose to at least 70, with over 1,200 injured, state media said on Monday, as firefighters battled a blaze that Iranian officials said was now under control 48 hours after the start of the fire. Saturday's blast took place in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, Iran's biggest container hub. Efforts to put out the ensuing blaze have continued since with sporadic fires breaking out due to wind and flammable goods in the containers, some releasing toxic emissions in the area, according to state media. 'After putting the huge fire under control, rescue operations are underway' Iran's state media said, citing the governor of Hormozgan Province, in which Bandar Abbas is situated. 'Removing containers could take up to two weeks', it added. Iran's ISNA news agency cited its interior minister Eskandar Momeni as saying national operations to confront the fire in Shahid Rajaee had ended and the management of firefighting had been handed over to local authorities. 'Shortcomings in regards to not respecting security protocols have been identified and some of the individuals at fault have been summoned', Momeni said, according to state media An initial report by the investigative committee charged with the incident found shortcomings in adherence to principles of civil defence and security. Around 22 people are missing and 22 bodies have not been identified yet, state TV cited the governor of Hormozgan as saying. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday ordered an investigation to 'uncover any negligence or intent' behind the incident, an indication that authorities are not ruling out sabotage. The incident occurred 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. Iran's Infrastructure Communications Company said on Monday that a large cyber attack against the country's infrastructure had been repelled a day after the blast, without providing more details. Poor storage of chemicals in containers is suspected of having caused the explosion. A spokesperson for the crisis management organisation said on Saturday that earlier warnings had highlighted potential safety risks at the port. Reuters
Japan Today
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Death toll in Iran's Bandar Abbas port blast rises to 70
Smoke rises following an explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, April 27, 2025. Iranian Red Crescent/WANA (West Asia News Agency) Handout via REUTERS By Elwely Elwelly The death toll from a major explosion in Iran's most important container port of Bandar Abbas rose to at least 70, with over 1,200 injured, state media said on Monday, as firefighters battled a blaze that Iranian officials said was now under control 48 hours after the start of the fire. Saturday's blast took place in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, Iran's biggest container hub. Efforts to put out the ensuing blaze have continued since with sporadic fires breaking out due to wind and flammable goods in the containers, some releasing toxic emissions in the area, according to state media. "After putting the huge fire under control, rescue operations are underway" Iran's state media said, citing the governor of Hormozgan Province, in which Bandar Abbas is situated. "Removing containers could take up to two weeks", it added. Iran's ISNA news agency cited its interior minister Eskandar Momeni as saying national operations to confront the fire in Shahid Rajaee had ended and the management of firefighting had been handed over to local authorities. "Shortcomings in regards to not respecting security protocols have been identified and some of the individuals at fault have been summoned", Momeni said, according to state media. An initial report by the investigative committee charged with the incident found shortcomings in adherence to principles of civil defence and security. Around 22 people are missing and 22 bodies have not been identified yet, state TV cited the governor of Hormozgan as saying. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday ordered an investigation to "uncover any negligence or intent" behind the incident, an indication that authorities are not ruling out sabotage. The incident occurred 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. Iran's Infrastructure Communications Company said on Monday that a large cyber attack against the country's infrastructure had been repelled a day after the blast, without providing more detail. Poor storage of chemicals in containers is suspected of having caused the explosion. A spokesperson for the crisis management organization said on Saturday that earlier warnings had highlighted potential safety risks at the port. Iran's defense ministry dismissed on Sunday international media reports suggesting the blast may be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran's interior minister blames ‘negligence' for Bandar Abbas port blast; Death toll rises to 65
Rescuers at the scene of a massive explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port dock south-west of Bandar Abbas, on April 28. PHOTO: AFP DUBAI - Iran's minister of interior on April 28 blamed 'negligence' for a massive explosion that killed 65 people and injured over 1,200 more at the country's largest commercial port, with firefighters battled a blaze that Iranian officials said was now under control 48 hours after the start of the fire. The blast took place on April 26 at the Shahid Rajaee Port in Iran's south near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes. Efforts to put out the ensuing blaze have continued since with sporadic fires breaking out due to wind and flammable goods in the containers, some releasing toxic emissions in the area, according to state media. 'After putting the huge fire under control, rescue operations are underway, the number of the dead in this incident has reached 65,' Iran's state media said on April 28, citing the governor of Hormozgan Province, in which Bandar Abbas is situated. 'Removing containers could take up to two weeks', it added. Iran's Isna news agency cited its interior minister Eskandar Momeni as saying national operations to confront the fire in Shahid Rajaee had ended and the management of firefighting had been handed over to local authorities. He added that 'culprits have been identified and summoned', and that the blast was caused by 'shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence'. Iran's state TV showed images of firefighters still dousing the flames on April 28, and said the damage would be assessed after the fire was fully brought under control. Heavy charcoal-black smoke continued to billow over low flames at part of the site, above which a firefighting helicopter flew, pictures from the Iranian Red Crescent showed. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on April 27 ordered an investigation to "uncover any negligence or intent" behind the incident, an indication that authorities are not ruling out sabotage. The incident occurred 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. Iran's Infrastructure Communications Company said on April 28 that a large cyber attack against the country's infrastructure had been repelled a day after the blast, without providing more detail. Poor storage of chemicals in containers is suspected of having caused the explosion. A spokesperson for the crisis management organisation said on April 26 that earlier warnings had highlighted potential safety risks at the port. Iran's defence ministry dismissed on April 27 international media reports suggesting the blast may be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles. CCTV footage shows fire from the explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran. PHOTO: REUTERS Smoke, then a fireball It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion but the port's customs office said it likely resulted from a fire that broke out at the hazardous and chemical materials storage depot. CCTV images on social media showed it began gradually, with a small fire belching orange-brown smoke among a few containers stacked outside, across from a warehouse. A small forklift truck drives past the area and men can be seen walking nearby. About one minute after the small fire and smoke become visible, a fireball erupts as vehicles pass nearby, with men running for their lives. President Masoud Pezeshkian visited hospitals treating the wounded on April 27 in the nearby city of Bandar Abbas. Since the explosion, authorities have ordered all schools and offices in the area closed, and have urged residents to avoid going outside 'until further notice' and to use protective masks. A large banner depicting an Iranian woman mourning in a traditional dress, against a slogan in Farsi reading 'Condolences Bandar Abbas' on a building facade in Tehran. PHOTO: AFP The New York Times quoted a person with ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss security matters, as saying that what exploded was sodium perchlorate – a major ingredient in solid fuel for missiles. Defence ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik later told state TV that 'there has been no imported or exported cargo for military fuel or military use in the area'. Iran's ally Russia has dispatched specialists to help battle the blazes. Authorities have declared Monday a national day of mourning, while three days of mourning began April 27 in Hormozgan province, where the port is located. The blast occurred as Iranian and US delegations were meeting in Oman for high-level talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, with both sides reporting progress. While Iranian authorities so far appear to be treating the blast as an accident, it also comes against the backdrop of years of shadow war with regional foe Israel. According to The Washington Post, Israel launched a cyberattack targeting the Shahid Rajaee Port in 2020. AFP, REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Death toll in Iran's Bandar Abbas port blast rises to 65, state media says
Iranian Red Crescent rescuers work following an explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas, Iran, April 27, 2025. Iranian Red Crescent/WANA (West Asia News Agency) Handout via REUTERS/File Photo DUBAI - The death toll from a major explosion in Iran's most important container port of Bandar Abbas rose to at least 65, with over 1,200 injured, state media said on Monday, as firefighters battled a blaze that Iranian officials said was now under control 48 hours after the start of the fire. Saturday's blast took place in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, Iran's biggest container hub. Efforts to put out the ensuing blaze have continued since with sporadic fires breaking out due to wind and flammable goods in the containers, some releasing toxic emissions in the area, according to state media. "After putting the huge fire under control, rescue operations are underway, the number of the dead in this incident has reached 65," Iran's state media said, citing the governor of Hormozgan Province, in which Bandar Abbas is situated. "Removing containers could take up to two weeks", it added. Iran's ISNA news agency cited its interior minister Eskandar Momeni as saying national operations to confront the fire in Shahid Rajaee had ended and the management of firefighting had been handed over to local authorities. "Shortcomings in regards to not respecting security protocols have been identified and some of the individuals at fault have been summoned", Momeni said, according to state media. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday ordered an investigation to "uncover any negligence or intent" behind the incident, an indication that authorities are not ruling out sabotage. The incident occurred 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. Iran's Infrastructure Communications Company said on Monday that a large cyber attack against the country's infrastructure had been repelled a day after the blast, without providing more detail. Poor storage of chemicals in containers is suspected of having caused the explosion. A spokesperson for the crisis management organisation said on Saturday that earlier warnings had highlighted potential safety risks at the port. Iran's defence ministry dismissed on Sunday international media reports suggesting the blast may be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
