State television reported on Saturday evening that after ten hours “the intensity of the fire increased and the threat appeared that the fire would spread to other areas and other containers.”
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The head of the emergency services announced that schools and offices near the port will be closed on Sunday – said the AFP agency, citing the head of the emergency services.
The Ministry of Health Iran has announced a state of threat to public health in the city, ”said Iran International. The ministry warned against the spread of dangerous impurities, including “ammonia, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide”. Residents were called to stay at home, avoid outdoor activities and close windows. People who were particularly vulnerable, including sick, children, pregnant women and the elderly, were recommended to wear masks. The authorities also recommend washing the face and protective clothing.
It was not stated what caused the explosion in the port of the Strait of Ormuz about 1050 kilometers southeast of the capital of Iran. Residents say that the explosion was so strong that windows from buildings located a few kilometers from the port flew out.
Fire in Iran. In March, rocket fuel went to the port
The British company Ambrey, managing the risk of maritime transport, reported that in March the port accepted the parcel “rocket fuel with sodium nadchloran”. Transport came from China. The fuel was to be used to supplement Iran rocket stocks, depleted as a result of direct attacks on Israel last year. “The fire probably occurred as a result of improper handling of a fixed fuel,” Ambrey said.
As the AP agency emphasized, it is unclear why Iran would not decide to transport chemicals from the port, especially after the explosion of the ammonium saltpeter, which occurred at the port of Beirut in 2020.
