What is the latest on the devastating port explosion in Iran?

Synopsis
The recent port explosion in Iran's Hormozgan province has left 40 dead and over 1,000 injured, prompting a national day of mourning. As investigations continue, firefighting efforts are underway to manage the aftermath of this devastating incident. Discover the latest updates and government responses to this tragic event.
Key Takeaways
- The death toll has reached 40.
- Over 1,000 people have been injured.
- A day of national mourning has been declared.
- Firefighting efforts are ongoing.
- Investigations into the cause are still in progress.
Tehran, April 28 (NationPress) The death toll from a catastrophic blast at a port in Iran's southern province of Hormozgan has tragically risen to 40. In response, the government has proclaimed a day of national mourning, as reported by Iran's IRIB news agency.
The explosion on Saturday, accompanied by a fierce fire, has left more than 1,000 individuals injured, with 197 requiring hospitalization, according to Hormozgan's Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani.
The exact cause of this incident remains unknown, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Fatemeh Mohajerani, the Iranian government's spokesperson, announced on the social media platform X that Monday will be observed as a day of national mourning.
President Masoud Pezeshkian visited the site on Sunday to evaluate the aftermath of the explosion and to meet with some of the injured, as stated by his office.
According to Hossein Sajedinia, the head of the National Disaster Management Organization, firefighting teams from five provinces are currently engaged in efforts to extinguish the fire, which they anticipate will be contained within hours.
He noted that some containers at the port housed flammable materials, including pitch, while others contained various chemicals.
Closed-circuit camera footage captured a small fire igniting near several containers, which rapidly escalated and resulted in the substantial explosion approximately 90 seconds later, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency citing Governor Taziani.
Despite this tragic event, operations at the port's wharfs have resumed, with cargo handling continuing as normal, according to the official news agency IRNA.