Iran addresses the implications of negligence in the wake of a catastrophic explosion at Shahid Rajaee port, as firefighters continue their efforts amidst rising casualties.
**Iran Claims Negligence as Casualties Rise Following Devastating Port Explosion**
**Iran Claims Negligence as Casualties Rise Following Devastating Port Explosion**
Investigation into Shahid Rajaee port incident reveals safety oversight as death toll escalates.
Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has pointed to negligence as a significant factor behind the devastating explosion and resultant fires at the country’s largest container port, located in Bandar Abbas. Over the weekend, the death toll climbed to at least 70, with injuries reported for more than 1,000 individuals.
Momeni disclosed that the incident was tied to "shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence." He confirmed that those identified as responsible for the disaster have been summoned for questioning.
Preliminary reports from customs authorities indicate that the imported cargo involved in the incident exploded after catching fire. However, Iran's defense ministry refuted claims related to missile-related chemistries, stating that rumors of sodium perchlorate – a substance utilized in ballistic missiles – was the cause were unfounded.
As firefighters continued their work on Monday to control the blazes that erupted two days prior, Hormozgan province's crisis management director, Mehrdad Hassanzadeh, announced that firefighting efforts neared completion. Meanwhile, Hormozgan Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani warned that cleanup operations at the port could extend several days, with a full return to normalcy expected in a timeframe of one to two weeks.
Officials reported that nearly 1,500 hectares of the port area – approximately two-thirds – sustained severe damage from the explosion. Local authorities revealed that the cargo that triggered the explosion had not been registered or properly declared prior to the incident.
The CEO of the company managing the site, Sina Marine and Port Services Development Company, condemned the "catastrophic error" resulting from misrepresentation of hazardous materials. Additionally, Ambrey Intelligence, a maritime risk consultancy, suggested that the explosion stemmed from improper handling of sodium perchlorate delivered to the port last month.
Amid the mounting casualties, the sentiment in Iran has shifted from mourning to frustration, as citizens react to the devastating aftermath of this catastrophic failure in oversight.
