Iran Chemical Plant Fire Kills Three
Blast at Kaveh Petrochemical Company Follows Welding Incident
A fire erupted at a major Iranian petrochemical facility on Wednesday, claiming at least three lives and sending thick plumes of smoke into the air. The incident, stemming from a welding accident, highlights ongoing safety concerns within the country’s industrial sector.
Explosion at Methanol Storage Unit
The accident occurred shortly after 11:00 AM local time (07:30 GMT) at the Kaveh Petrochemical Company, located in Bandar Deyr, a port city in the Bushehr province. The initial explosion took place in a methanol storage unit, according to reports from Iran’s state news agency, IRNA.
Kourosh Dehghani, the provincial head of the crisis management organisation, explained to Iranian state television that the fire began when welding work on a barge ignited an explosion. The fire broke out after welding on a barge at the site ignited an explosion.
he stated.
Fire Contained, Investigation Underway
Firefighting teams successfully contained the blaze and are currently focused on cooling the affected area. Dehghani indicated that authorities do not anticipate further casualties. The extent of the damage to the facility is still being assessed.
BREAKING: Reports of a large fire at the Kaveh Petrochemical Company in Bandar Deyr, Iran. https://t.co/q9q9q9q9q9
Methanol production is a significant part of Iran’s petrochemical industry. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, global methanol production reached approximately 117 million metric tons in 2023, with China being the largest producer. Source: EIA 2024
Facility Details and Production Capacity
The Kaveh Petrochemical Company operates on a sprawling 200-hectare (494-acre) site in the Gulf region. It is a major producer of methanol, with an annual capacity of up to 2.3 million tonnes of the highly flammable chemical. The plant plays a crucial role in supplying both domestic and international markets.
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The incident underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols in the handling of hazardous materials within Iran’s petrochemical sector.
