At least three people were killed and 10 others injured following a fire that broke out at a methanol reservoir in Iran’s southern province of Bushehr, state news agency IRNA reported Wednesday.
The incident occurred at the port of Bandar Dayyer, where a vessel owned by Kaveh Petrochemicals Company was docked. The ship, carrying methanol, reportedly caught fire under unknown circumstances, according to Iranian state television.
Emergency officials warned the death toll could rise due to the scale of the fire. “Considering the extent of the fire, it is likely that the number of dead and injured will increase,” the head of the province’s emergency medical services told local media.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the blaze, and no further details were immediately available about the condition of those injured or the extent of the damage. Rescue operations and firefighting efforts were continuing as of Wednesday afternoon.
The fire adds to a series of industrial accidents that have raised concerns about safety protocols at key Iranian ports and petrochemical sites. In April, a deadly explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port, also in southern Iran, claimed the lives of 57 people. Some Iranian officials attributed that blast to the improper storage of hazardous chemicals in shipping containers. An official investigation into that incident remains ongoing.
Iran’s southern ports, particularly those involved in petrochemical exports, are critical to the country’s economy, especially as it navigates international sanctions that have restricted access to global markets. Accidents at these facilities not only pose a public safety risk but also threaten key economic infrastructure.
No statements have yet been released by Kaveh Petrochemicals regarding the incident at Bandar Dayyer. Government agencies are expected to launch a formal investigation to determine the cause and assess accountability.
As of Wednesday, authorities continued to monitor the site for potential flare-ups while medical teams remained on standby to assist victims.
