News - Middle East: Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered several emergency aircraft to be sent to Iran to help contain a fire that broke out following a massive explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in the southern city of Bandar Abbas.

The Russian Embassy in Tehran said in a post on its Telegram channel on Sunday that Putin has issued an order to immediately dispatch several planes from the Ministry of Emergency Situations to Iran along with experienced specialists to assist in dealing with the aftermath of the blast.

“We wish that Russian rescuers, together with their Iranian colleagues, will contain the flames and save the lives of the people and this port, which is strategically important for the Iranian economy,” the embassy added in its message.

According to Russia's emergency ministry, a Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft specializing in firefighting, as well as an Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane, would be sent to Iran to help out.

Earlier in the day, Putin expressed condolences to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian over the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, saying Moscow was ready to assist in eliminating the aftermath of the tragedy.

On Saturday, a powerful blast rocked the port of Shahid Rajaee in Hormozgan Province after a fuel tanker exploded for reasons still under investigation.

The tragic incident has so far claimed 28 lives and injured more than 800 individuals.

Iranian officials, emergency services, health departments, and crisis management teams are trying to ensure that victims and their families receive the necessary care and that potentially affected facilities are secured and rehabilitated.

Authorities have further reassured the public that an in-depth investigation is underway to establish the cause of the explosion and prevent its recurrence.

Source: Press TV