Tehran, 26 April 2025 (dpa/MIA) - At least four people have died and more than 500 people were injured, many of them severely, in a serious explosion at the southern Iranian port of Shahid Rajaee, Iranian media reported on Saturday.

Authorities fear the death toll will rise further over the course of the day.

The blast caused considerable damage to the harbour infrastructure at the site, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB and other media.

An urgent call was made to the people of Hormuzgan province to give blood to help those who were injured.

The explosion is said to have been caused by a blast in a fuel store in the harbour. Further details are expected throughout the day.

All work at the site has been suspended.

The government has not yet made an official statement but President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered a full investigation into the causes and the best possible treatment for the seriously injured on X.

Rumours spread in social media that the incident was caused by sabotage but these have not been confirmed. Nor have rumours that rocket fuel in one of the warehouses triggered the huge explosion.

Shahid Rajaee, near the major city of Bandar Abbas, is located in one of Iran's important economic zones, handling more than a third of the nation's maritime trade.

Photo: EPA