The death toll from a major explosion in the port of Holmozgen province in southern Iran has risen to 28, media reported on Sunday.
The report said the cause of the incident has not been determined.
The number of people injured in the explosion and subsequent fires has reached 800, and six people are still missing, the official IRNA news agency said.
The footage of the closed-circuit camera on the scene showed a limited fire near several containers in the port area at 12:05 PM local time, and then expanded and caused a huge explosion after nearly 90 seconds, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency quoted Hormozgan Governor Mohammad Ashouri Taziani.
He also announced three days of public condolences in the province following the fatal explosion.
National Disaster Management Organisation spokesman Hossein Zafari told the semi-official FARS news agency Saturday that chemical materials in port containers may have triggered an explosion.
But Iranian government spokesman Fatemeh Mohajerani warned on the same day that any “hurried speculation” about the cause of the incident before relevant authorities complete the investigation.
She added that so far, what has been confirmed is a container in a corner of the port, which may contain chemical materials.
Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik dismissed rumors from foreign media about the presence of military goods at the port, saying that according to investigations and available evidence, there were no imported or exported goods related to fuel or military use in the area where the explosion occurred.
Iranian port explosion: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sent Home Minister Eskandar Momeni to the province on Saturday to ensure the necessary coordination and resolve the injured situation.
On Sunday, Pezeshkian directed the interior minister to take immediate measures to ensure that medical services are provided to all injured and critical situations are controlled, according to a statement on Sunday.
IRNA reported that although 80% of the fires had already been at the port by Sunday morning, it reignited and spread to other nearby containers and was working to put it out.
The report added that the port’s terminals resume operations and cargo handling.
