The Iranian State TV reported that at least 1,139 others were injured in the explosion.
On Saturday, a fire broke out around 12 pm local time (0830GMT) at Shahid Rajaee Port, specifically in the container dock area, according to local media.
Initial reports suggested the presence of flammable materials near the site of the explosion.
Quoting witnesses, reports indicated that the minor fire quickly spread and triggered the explosion due to the 40 degrees Celsius heat and the accumulation of flammable substances.
The strategically important port, located in the southern Hormozgan province, lies about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) southwest of the port of Bandar Abbas on the northern shore of the Strait of Hormuz.
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09:38
The death toll from the explosion at the Shahid Rajaee seaport in the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas continues to climb, AzVision.az reports.
According to the latest information, 18 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 800 others have sustained injuries of varying severity.
The blast was so powerful that it caused extensive damage to port facilities and vehicles in the surrounding area. In response to the growing number of casualties, authorities have organized an emergency blood donation drive in the city.
Note, a major explosion rocked Iran’s Shahid Rajaei port in the Persian Gulf on Saturday morning. The official cause of the blast has not yet been named. State of emergency declared in Iran.
