Major blast strikes Iranian port with at least 47 reported injured
The blast rocked the area for miles around according to reports
A massive explosion and fire have struck the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas. State media released the confirmation after reports emerged of a blast so powerful people felt the earth shaking for miles.
It is not known how many people have been injured in the incident. Early reports say 47 people have been hurt with any victims being taken to local medical centres.
No official details of numbers hurt have been released. However Mehrdad Hasanzadeh, a provincial disaster management official, told Iranian state television there were injuries in the blast, without elaborating, reports ABC News.
He added that first responders were trying to reach the area while others were attempting to evacuate the site. He added the blast came from containers at Rajaei port in the city.
The explosion appeared to be at Rajaei port in the city with a massive cloud of smoke rising above the area. Videos on social media videos showed a huge plume of black smoke rising into the air.
Iranian authorities have not yet said what they believe to have caused the blast. Rajaei port mainly handles container traffic and also has oil tanks and other petrochemical facilities.