Explosions at Central Iran Oil Plant Injure Multiple Workers
On Monday, September 23, a series of explosions erupted at an oil condensate plant in the Fajr Industrial Park in Garmsar, central Iran, igniting a massive fire and injuring several workers. Local reports indicate that the explosions caused significant damage, and firefighting efforts have been challenging due to the intensity of the blaze. Authorities confirmed that at least 10 people were injured, with two individuals suffering critical burn injuries.
The incident began in the afternoon when two initial explosions triggered additional blasts as the fire spread. Hamid Majidi, the Red Crescent chief in Garmsar, expressed concerns about the fire potentially reaching a nearby refinery housing about 40 fuel tanks, which could lead to a catastrophic outcome. The firefighting teams from nine cities in the Sistan and Tehran provinces had been mobilized to assist at the scene.
The explosions occurred at around 15:30 local time after a fire broke out in the oil condensate storage area. Nearby workers were evacuated as a precaution due to the severity of the incident.
Two workers—a supervisor and a welder—were critically injured, with burns covering over 90% of their bodies.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing the explosions from miles away, including in the nearby city of Eyvanki. Local residents described how the explosions sent thick black smoke billowing over the industrial area, and the intense flames made it nearly impossible for firefighters to get close to the source of the fire.
The Fajr Industrial Park in Garmsar hosts 51% of Semnan Province’s industrial activities, raising fears about the fire’s potential to spread to other facilities. This includes a nearby hydrocarbon refinery with large fuel tanks, increasing the risk of a larger disaster. The exact volume of fuel stored in the affected refinery remains unknown, complicating efforts to predict when the fire will be fully contained.
The number of injured had risen to six, with four firefighters being treated for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.
The exact cause of the initial explosion is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that a malfunction in one of the oil condensate tanks may have been the trigger.
The scale of the explosions and the resulting damage have sparked concerns about safety protocols within the industrial zone.
Image credit: INU