Port official says at least 200 killed in Iran blast, calls explosion ‘preventable’

An official customs agent said the explosion at Iran’s Shahid Rajaei port was foreseeable and blamed poor infrastructure and container congestion for the deadly incident, which he said killed at least 200 people.

Teimour Bahengam, who was present at the port during the blast, told local media that outdated equipment, oil leaks, and a buildup of over 200,000 containers created dangerous conditions. “This explosion was predictable,” he said. “The machinery is old, the ground is contaminated, and safety protocols are lacking.”

The blast occurred around 12:05 p.m. in the Sina terminal area of the port, shattering windows and sending debris flying across the customs zone. “Nothing was left intact,” Bahengam said, describing doors and windows blown out as far as two kilometers from the site.

Authorities have not confirmed an official death toll. Bahengam said more than 17 bodies were recovered from a single container, and added that at least 200 people were killed. “The blood of each of them is on the government’s hands,” he said.

He also criticized delays in customs processing and currency allocation, which he said had contributed to overcrowding and mismanagement at the port.