Inside Minister Eskandar Momeni says the ‘culprits have been recognized’ and the explosion was brought on by ‘negligence’.
Fires at Iran’s largest industrial port, Bandar Abbas, have been extinguished two days after a massive explosion killed no less than 65 individuals and injured greater than 1,000, Iranian state media has reported, as questions linger as to the blast’s trigger.
Solely “120 wounded are nonetheless in hospital”, Inside Minister Eskandar Momeni, who’s visiting the affected space, instructed state TV on Monday.
The blast befell on Saturday at Shahid Rajaei Port in Iran’s south close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a waterway by which one-fifth of worldwide oil output passes.
Earlier, earlier than the fires had been put out, Iran’s state TV confirmed pictures of firefighters dousing the flames, saying the harm could be assessed after the fireplace is absolutely introduced underneath management.
Heavy charcoal-black smoke continued to billow over low flames at a part of the positioning, above which a firefighting helicopter flew, footage from the Iranian Purple Crescent confirmed.
What brought about the blast?
It was not instantly clear what brought about the explosion, however the port’s customs workplace stated it doubtless resulted from a fireplace that broke out at a depot storing hazardous chemical supplies.
Momeni stated on Monday that “culprits have been recognized and summoned”, and that the blast was brought on by “shortcomings, together with noncompliance with security precautions and negligence”.
Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered an intensive investigation into the incident.
Within the face of exterior and knowledgeable hypothesis, Iran has denied experiences that the blast was brought on by a cargo of missile gasoline.
Nationwide day of mourning declared
On Sunday, President Masoud Pezeshkian visited hospitals treating the wounded in Bandar Abbas. For the reason that explosion, authorities have ordered all faculties and places of work within the space closed and urged residents to keep away from going exterior “till additional discover” and use protecting masks when doing so.
Authorities declared Monday a nationwide day of mourning, whereas three days of mourning started on Sunday in Hormozgan province.
The explosion befell as Iranian and US delegations met in Oman for high-level talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme, with either side reporting progress.
Whereas Iranian authorities to this point look like treating the explosion as an accident, it additionally comes in opposition to a backdrop of years of shadow warfare with regional enemy Israel. Iran has previously accused Israel of being behind such assaults.
Based on The Washington Put up, Israel launched a cyberattack concentrating on the Shahid Rajaei Port in 2020.
