A large explosion was observed near the Iranian city of Shahriar, near the capital Tehran, on Thursday evening, according to local media and footage shared on social media.
Iranian media reported that a large fire broke out at a chemical solvent production factory. According to reports, the blast was so large it was seen from several cities across central Iran.
آتش‌سوزی شرکت تولیدکنندۀ حلال‌های شیمیایی در جادۀ #شهریاریک شرکت تولیدکننده حلال‌های شیمیایی در جادۀ چیتگر-شهریار و در محدودۀ معادن شهر قدس طعمه حریق شد.مدیرعامل آتش‌نشانی شهرداری قدس: آتش‌سوزی مربوط به مخازن سوخت این شرکت است. خودروهای آتش‌نشانی در محل حادثه حضور دارند. pic.twitter.com/6QVUvUNLkj
— Azadeh Mokhtari (@AzadeMokhtari) February 15, 2024
Iranian official cites 'disruption in the production line process'
"At 18:15, a huge explosion was heard in Shahr Quds, and as soon as this explosion occurred, the necessary procedures were carried out, and it was found that the incident was caused by a fire in the chemical tanks of a private company producing solvents," local official Vahid Golikani was quoted by Iranian media as saying.
"This incident occurred due to a disruption in the production line process," he added.
The cause of the explosion was unknown upon an initial probing of the incident, local media said.
This is a developing story.