The death toll from the blast at Iran's Shahid Rajaee port has increased to 40. Furthermore, state media reported that over 1,000 people have been injured due to Saturday's explosion.
Following the blast, Iran라이브 바카라 supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered a comprehensive probe into the reasons for the blast.
President Masous Pezeshkian visited the blast site where the fire persisted 24 hours later. After the president's visit on Sunday, the supreme leader delivered his instructions.
“Security and judicial officials are obliged to thoroughly investigate, uncover any negligence or intent, and follow up in accordance with regulations,” Khamenei said in his message.
The blast took place at Shahid Rajaee, the country's largest commercial port. It is located in the Strait of Hormuz, 20km west of Bandar Abbas.
As per the BBC, the impact of the blast was reportedly felt up to 50km away. It blew out windows and roofs of nearby buildings and destroyed cars too. Videos show three areas ablaze and the fire growing in intensity before the explosion. Witnesses said that the blast occurred after a fire broke out and spread to unsealed containers storing flammable materials.
Iran's interior minister said that the fire was spreading from one container to the other. The containers are said to have contained solid fuel for ballistic missiles, according to a private maritime risk consultancy.
Customs officials later released a statement, confirming that the explosion had probably resulted from a fire that had broken out in a hazmat and materials storage depot.
With smoke and air pollution spreading in the area, all schools and offices in Bandar Abbas were ordered to close.
The health ministry urged residents to avoid going outside and to use protective masks until further notice.
