Five people have been killed in an explosion and fire at a port in southern Iran, Iran's rescue organization said.
Iranian television reported that more than 700 people were injured, and hundreds were taken to medical centers, after the explosion that occurred near the large city of Bandar Abbas, which overlooks the Strait of Hormuz.
Videos on social media show black smoke and shattered glass on buildings far from the site of the explosion.
Authorities have not offered an explanation for the explosion even hours later, but video footage suggests that flammable material exploded in the port.
Industrial accidents occur in Iran, especially at oil facilities that are under international sanctions.
However, Iranian state television ruled out the possibility that any energy infrastructure was damaged in the explosion.
The Shahid Rajaee port where the accident occurred is an important commercial port in Iran, located more than 1.000 kilometers south of the capital Tehran, near the large port city of Bandar Abbas.
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