Fires continued to blaze after a massive explosion tore through Iran's largest commercial port, leaving more than 20 people dead and a thousand injured, according to state media on Sunday.

The explosion occurred on Saturday at Shahid Rajaei Port, near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that handles around 20% of global oil shipments. The blast, felt up to 50 kilometers away, was described by Fars news agency as powerful enough to shake surrounding areas.

A better view of the huge explosions at Bandar Abbas port in Iran.pic.twitter.com/pvglhCG0Dw https://t.co/vN1E4JOhEg

— Ahmed Quraishi (@_AhmedQuraishi) April 26, 2025

Iranian state television reported 25 fatalities and 1,000 injuries, with live broadcasts showing thick plumes of black smoke rising from the site. Hundreds of the injured were transported to nearby medical centers, and the provincial blood transfusion center issued an urgent appeal for blood donations.

China's state broadcaster CCTV, citing its consulate in Bandar Abbas, confirmed that three Chinese nationals sustained minor injuries.

Rescue workers were seen navigating debris-strewn roads in footage from IRNA, as emergency services worked to stabilize the affected areas. Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni stated that port operations, including container loading and customs clearance, had partially resumed.

Concerns raised in past

State media indicated that the explosion likely originated from a fire at a hazardous and chemical materials storage depot, with multiple containers reported to have detonated.

Hossein Zafari, a spokesperson for Iran's crisis management organization, attributed the cause to poor chemical storage practices. “The cause of the explosion was the chemicals inside the containers,” Zafari told ILNA, adding that port authorities had been previously warned about safety risks.

During inspections, officials had raised concerns about unsafe storage, but measures were not adequately enforced, leading to the catastrophic event.

Surveillance cameras captured the moment of the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, west of #BandarAbbas, in southern Iran.#ShahidRajaeePort#ShahidRajaee #Iran https://t.co/1QXlv7IwAV

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 26, 2025

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian extended condolences to the victims and announced a full investigation into the causes and circumstances of the explosion.

Several countries and organizations expressed solidarity with Iran. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Turkey, and the United Nations all offered condolences, while Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his "deepest condolences" and offered assistance.

Officials in Hormozgan province declared three days of public mourning in the wake of the tragedy.