Refinery Blaze Breaks Out In Iran's Persian Gulf Port

Fire in the Aftab Oil Refining company in Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas on July 10, 2023
Fire in the Aftab Oil Refining company in Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas on July 10, 2023

Three petroleum product reservoirs belonging to the Aftab Oil Refining company have caught fire in Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas, state media reported on Monday.

"According to statements by local sources, efforts have been started to extinguish the fire, but there is a possibility of fire spreading and nearby reservoirs exploding," the official IRNA news agency said.

Bandar Abbas is located on the Persian Gulf coast and is one of the hubs for export of oil and oil products.

The official government news agency IRNA reported that six firefighters have been injured in trying to extinguish the blaze. Footage of a large black smoke coming out of an industrial compound was shared by IRNA.

The cause of the incident is still unknown, but similar industrial accidents in the past have usually led to speculations of domestic or foreign sabotage.

People work to put out a fire at an oil refinery in Bandar Abbas, Iran, July 10, 2023.
People work to put out a fire at an oil refinery in Bandar Abbas, Iran, July 10, 2023.

Firefighters put out a fire at an oil refinery in Bandar Abbas, Iran, July 10, 2023.
Firefighters put out a fire at an oil refinery in Bandar Abbas, Iran, July 10, 2023.