New Delhi, April 27 -- A massive explosion and ensuing fire at Shahid Rajaei port in southern Iran on Saturday left eight people dead and around 750 others injured.

The explosion occurred in the port near Bandar Abbas, ignited a fire that raged for several hours. Helicopters were dispatched to drop water from the air to quell the fire, but explosions continued into the night, reportedly from other containers at the site. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, but Iranian authorities and security experts are exploring potential links to mishandled shipments of missile fuel.

The blast prompted an urgent response from authorities.

According to the private security firm Ambrey, the port had received a shipment of "sodium perchlorate ...