Iran’s Interior Ministry said Tuesday that negligence and noncompliance with safety regulations are to blame for Saturday’s deadly explosion at Shahid Rajaee port in Bandar Abbas.
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said the blast at Iran’s largest port was caused by the flagrant disregard of safety precautions and negligence. Iranians deemed responsible for the blast have been brought in for questioning, he said.
The port explosion killed at least 70 people and injured more than 1,000 others. Firefighters have worked to extinguish the blaze over the past three days, with authorities saying it could take weeks before the area is back to normal.
The explosion impacted nearly two-thirds of the port, which is estimated to be at least 5,500 acres.
Iranian and international authorities have offered various explanations about the cause of the blast. Iranian authorities have denied that the explosion was caused by the improper handling of sodium perchlorate, which is used as a fuel for ballistic missiles.
Brig. Gen Reza Talai-Nik added that no cargo for military use was in the vicinity of the port during the explosion.
But The New York Times cited an unnamed source within Iran’s military who asserted that the port was handling sodium perchlorate and other independent investigative agencies have cited a history of military goods coming into Shahid Rajaee port.
Whatever material caused the explosion, both sides say it resulted from the improper handling of volatile material. Iran’s Customs Administration admitted this week that the cargo that caused the explosion was not properly registered or declared upon entering the port.
