Huge explosion in Iranian port wounds at least 516 people

An immense blast in Iran’s southern port of Shahid Rajaee has wounded at least 516 people, according to state media.

The cause of the explosion in the southern city of Bandar Abbas was unknown, with the director general of the province’s crisis management body saying it was working to determine the cause of the incident.

A local official told state TV that several containers exploded in the port, without mentioning what triggered the explosion.

State media also quoted Iranian security officials as saying “any speculation about the cause of the explosion is worthless”.

Videos showed a huge billowing mushroom cloud, with the force of the blast destroying a nearby building and shattering windows.

Injured people lay on the roadside while local hospitals handled an influx of hundreds of patients wounded in the blast.

Shahid Rajaee port is a large Iranian container facility which handles 80 million tonnes of goods per year and also deals with fuel tankers and refineries.

The explosion occurred as Iran and the US met for the third round of nuclear talks in Oman on Saturday, aiming to achieve a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.

More details soon …