More than 400 people were injured in a powerful explosion that struck a commercial port in Iran's southern Hormozgan Province on the Strait of Hormuz Saturday, Iranian state television reported.
The blast, which was felt in nearby cities, was triggered by an explosion of several cargo containers at the Shahid Rajaee port in the city of Bandar Abbas, a local official told the broadcaster.
Initial reports suggested the incident may have been linked to poor safety standards, with flammable materials reportedly stored near the containers.
Rescue crews were dispatched to the site as people were evacuated and operations at the port were suspended, the TV channel said. Semi-official news agency Tasnim said the blast was caused by a fuel tank exploding, without providing further details. Officials have so far reported no fatalities.
The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Co. said in a statement that the explosion didn't stem from any oil facilities or operations.
Live footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky, as efforts to extinguish the fire were still underway more than two hours after the explosion.
The blast occurred not far from Muscat, south of the Gulf of Oman, where a third round of talks between Iranian and US officials over Tehran's nuclear program is taking place.
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