THE death toll has risen to 70, with more than 1,000 injured, following the explosion at the Port of Shahid Rajaee in Bandar Abbas, Iran, reports the Associated Press.

The blast devastated large sections of the country's big container port.

AP reported that satellite imagery showed the explosion occurred near Sina's terminal, shredding nearby facilities and stacked containers.

The area most affected was operated by the Sina Marine and Port Services Development Company, which is part of Bonyad Mostazafan, a charitable foundation overseen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office.

According to the BBC, Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni told state media that the explosion was due to "shortcomings, including noncompliance with safety precautions and negligence".

Customs officials said the cargo that ignited had not been properly registered or declared. "Some individuals deemed responsible" have reportedly been summoned for questioning.

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