• At least 70 people have died following an explosion at Iran's Shahid Rajaee Port.
• Over 1,200 individuals sustained injuries, with some still hospitalized.
• Officials cite negligence and safety violations as the primary causes of the incident.
• The Iranian government has ruled out sabotage in its investigation of the blast.
• Firefighting efforts continue as operations at the port gradually resume.

A catastrophic explosion occurred on Saturday at Shahid Rajaee Port, leading to a reported death toll of at least 70 individuals and injuries exceeding 1,200, as per state media updates from Iran. The incident, which generated a powerful shockwave felt kilometers away, has been linked to negligence in safety protocols, according to Interior Minister Dawn and BBC.

Emerging reports indicated that the explosion originated from improper handling of hazardous materials at a storage depot. Eyewitness accounts describe initial fire incidents escalating into a significant blast, resulting in extensive damage at the port location. As of latest reports, remnants of the explosion have raised toxic emissions, causing health advisories in nearby areas, according to Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.

Following the blast, emergency services have mobilized extensively, with firefighting operations being supported by Russian specialists. Concerns remain regarding the handling of flammable and hazardous materials, prompting Iranian authorities, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to initiate investigations into the circumstances surrounding the explosion. A regional governor emphasized that sabotage theories are unfounded as investigations continue, according to India Times, TRT Global, and Al Jazeera.

Currently, operations at the port are gradually returning to normal, with local and national authorities engaged in cleanup efforts and continued medical assistance to the injured. President Masoud Pezeshkian has made visits to hospitals to assess the situation and provide support, as reported by Times of India, Dawn, and Channel News Asia.