Casualties in explosion at Bandar Abbas port in Iran climb to 70
The toll from a significant explosion at Bandar Abbas, Iran's key container port, has climbed to at least 70 fatalities, with more than 1,200 people injured, according to state media reports on Monday. Firefighters have been working to extinguish a blaze that Iranian officials stated is now under control, two days after the fire initially broke out.
TroibNews 
The death toll from a significant explosion in Iran's primary container port of Bandar Abbas has risen to at least 70, with more than 1,200 people injured, state media reported on Monday. Firefighters have been working to control a blaze that officials indicated was finally under control 48 hours after the fire broke out.
The explosion occurred on Saturday in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, which is Iran's largest container hub. Efforts to extinguish the resulting fire continued, with occasional flare-ups occurring due to wind and the presence of flammable materials in the containers, some of which released toxic emissions in the vicinity, according to state media.
"After putting the huge fire under control, rescue operations are underway," Iran's state media quoted the governor of Hormozgan Province, where Bandar Abbas is located. "Removing containers could take up to two weeks," it added.
ISNA news agency reported that interior minister Eskandar Momeni announced that national efforts to combat the fire in Shahid Rajaee had concluded and that local authorities were now in charge of firefighting management.
"Shortcomings in regards to not respecting security protocols have been identified and some of the individuals at fault have been summoned," Momeni stated, as per state media.
An initial examination by the investigative committee responsible for the incident uncovered deficiencies in compliance with civil defense and security protocols.
According to state television, around 22 individuals remain missing, and 22 bodies have yet to be identified, as mentioned by the governor of Hormozgan.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directed an investigation on Sunday to "uncover any negligence or intent" related to the incident, suggesting that authorities are considering the possibility of sabotage.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this article for TROIB News
The explosion occurred on Saturday in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, which is Iran's largest container hub. Efforts to extinguish the resulting fire continued, with occasional flare-ups occurring due to wind and the presence of flammable materials in the containers, some of which released toxic emissions in the vicinity, according to state media.
"After putting the huge fire under control, rescue operations are underway," Iran's state media quoted the governor of Hormozgan Province, where Bandar Abbas is located. "Removing containers could take up to two weeks," it added.
ISNA news agency reported that interior minister Eskandar Momeni announced that national efforts to combat the fire in Shahid Rajaee had concluded and that local authorities were now in charge of firefighting management.
"Shortcomings in regards to not respecting security protocols have been identified and some of the individuals at fault have been summoned," Momeni stated, as per state media.
An initial examination by the investigative committee responsible for the incident uncovered deficiencies in compliance with civil defense and security protocols.
According to state television, around 22 individuals remain missing, and 22 bodies have yet to be identified, as mentioned by the governor of Hormozgan.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directed an investigation on Sunday to "uncover any negligence or intent" related to the incident, suggesting that authorities are considering the possibility of sabotage.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this article for TROIB News
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