TEHRAN — The death toll from the massive explosion that rocked Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran on Saturday has risen to 25, local sources confirmed on Sunday.

Iranian state television reported that at least 1,139 people were injured in the incident, many of whom were transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The explosion occurred around 12 p.m. local time (0830 GMT) at the port's container dock area. Initial reports suggest that flammable materials stored near the site contributed to the severity of the blast.

Eyewitness accounts said a minor fire rapidly escalated into a major explosion due to extremely high temperatures, reaching 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), and the accumulation of combustible substances.

Shahid Rajaee Port is strategically located in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) southwest of Bandar Abbas, along the northern shore of the Strait of Hormuz.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion and assess the extent of the damage at one of Iran’s key commercial ports. — Agencies