Death Toll from Blast at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Rises to 28

Bandar Abbas, 27 Apr (ONA) --- The death toll from a powerful explosion at Iran's biggest port of Bandar Abbas has risen to at least 28, with more than 700 people injured, state media reported today, as firefighters worked to fully extinguish the fire.

Saturday's blast took place in the Shahid Rajaee section of the port, Iran's biggest container hub, shattering windows for several kilometres around, tearing metal strips off shipping containers and badly damaging goods inside, state media said.

Chemicals at the port were suspected to have fuelled the explosion, but the exact cause was not clear. Iran's Defence Ministry denied international media reports that the blast may be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles.

--- Ends/Khalid