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Iran’s health ministry has declared a public health emergency in Bandar Abbas following the explosion at Shahid Rajaei Port, warning of the spread of hazardous pollutants including "ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide."
In a directive to Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, the ministry ordered the formation of emergency response teams and urged residents to stay indoors, avoid outdoor activities, and keep windows closed.
Vulnerable groups, including people with respiratory or heart conditions, children, pregnant women, and the elderly, were advised to wear N95 or P2 masks.
Authorities also recommended frequent face washing and the use of protective clothing.
The death toll from the explosions in Bandar Abbas has risen to eight, and around 750 people have been injured, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said on Saturday night.
He added that about 212 people received outpatient treatment, while the rest of the injured are being treated in medical centers in Hormozgan Province and neighboring provinces.
A large fire continued to burn at Rajaei Port on Saturday night, and as the flames spread to other containers, new explosions occurred in the area, according to media reports.
Explosions could still be heard from the port compound, videos shared on social media show.
The fire at the dock and container yard of Rajaei Port remains large and widespread.
The massive blast at Iran's Rajaei port "was reportedly the result of improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles,” the Associated Press reported citing private security firm Ambrey.
Earlier in January, the Financial Times reported that two Iranian cargo ships, the Golbon and the Jairan, left China loaded with 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate, a crucial ingredient for making solid rocket propellant.
Citing unnamed security officials in two western countries, the FT said the chemicals were being shipped to the Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Bandar Abbas.
Ship-tracking data analyzed by AP put one of the vessels believed to be carrying the chemical in the vicinity in March.
The Maritime Executive also reported in March that one of the ships mentioned by the Financial Times, the MV Jairan, was passing through the Strait of Malacca en route to Bandar Abbas.
CNN reported in February that the Golbon, the first of two Iranian cargo vessels carrying sodium perchlorate from China, had anchored off the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas after departing from Taicang Port on January 21.
Iran has not publicly acknowledged receiving the shipments and has denied that Saturday's explosion is related to the country’s oil industry.
