International Desk : A massive explosion and fire at a port in southern Iran have killed at least 14 people and injured more than 750. Iranian state media reports that the blast was due to the storage of chemical materials used for missiles.

According to an Al Jazeera report on Saturday (April 26th), the devastating explosion and fire occurred at the Shahid Rajaee port, located 1,000 kilometers south of the capital Tehran. The entire area was quickly engulfed in smoke and ash. Helicopters were used to pour water on the fire in an attempt to extinguish it.

Eyewitnesses reported that the powerful explosion shook the surroundings, and many people present at the scene were thrown around by the force of the blast.

Rescuers were seen carrying the injured on stretchers near the port. Members of the Iranian Red Crescent also participated in the rescue efforts. Firefighting aircraft were deployed to douse the flames.

Provincial disaster management officials in Iran stated that at least 14 people were killed and over 750 were injured in the incident. Tehran has not provided a clear explanation for the cause of the explosion. However, authorities claim that the blast is not related to the oil industry.

Hossein Jafari, a spokesperson for Iran`s disaster management organization, attributed the explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port to the poor storage of chemicals. He told Iran`s ILNA news agency that the chemicals inside containers were the cause of the explosion.

According to information from the private security firm Ambrey, a shipment of sodium perchlorate rocket fuel, a chemical substance, arrived at the Shahid Rajaee port from China in March.

Late Saturday night, Iran`s state news agency IRNA reported that the country`s customs administration claimed the explosion was due to the storage of hazardous chemicals and goods in the port area. However, they did not provide further details.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered an investigation into the incident. He has also instructed the country`s interior minister to visit the site.