On Monday, September 23, a series of powerful explosions rocked an oil condensate factory located in Garmsar’s Fajr Industrial Park, leading to a massive fire and injuring several workers. According to various reports, the explosions caused severe damage, with ongoing fire suppression efforts hampered by the scale of the blaze. Local authorities have confirmed that at least 10 individuals were injured, with two suffering from critical burn injuries.
The incident began with two initial explosions in the afternoon, which triggered two additional blasts as the fire spread. Hamid Majidi, head of the Red Crescent in Garmsar, expressed concern about the fire potentially reaching another nearby refinery with approximately 40 fuel tanks, which would result in an uncontrollable disaster. “There is a significant risk of further explosions,” he said, adding that teams from nine cities across Sistan and Tehran provinces had been dispatched to the scene to assist with firefighting efforts.
Reports from Iranian state media outlets, including Tejarat News, indicate that the explosions occurred around 15:30 local time, following the eruption of a fire in the oil condensate storage area. Several sources also described the evacuation of nearby workers as a precautionary measure due to the severity of the blasts.
Pejman Qaraeian, Head of Pre-Hospital and Emergency Medical Services at Semnan University of Medical Sciences, confirmed that two workers, a supervisor and a welder, were critically injured and suffered over 90% body burns. “They were rushed to Garmsar’s Motamedi Hospital, and their condition remains grave,” he stated.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing the blasts miles away in the nearby city of Eyvanki. Some local residents shared their accounts with the media, describing how the series of explosions caused large plumes of black smoke to rise over the industrial park. The flames and heat, according to the locals, made it nearly impossible for firefighters to approach the scene.
Hussein Derakhshan, director of the Red Crescent in Semnan, confirmed that four Red Crescent operational teams had been dispatched to handle the incident, and efforts to extinguish the fire were ongoing. “The area has been cordoned off, and evacuation procedures for nearby factories and workers were swiftly implemented,” he added.
The Fajr Industrial Park in Garmsar houses 51% of Semnan Province’s industrial operations, raising concerns over the potential for the fire to spread to other facilities. Officials stated that this includes another hydrocarbon refinery with large fuel tanks, heightening the risk of a more extensive disaster. “If the flames reach these tanks, it could escalate beyond our control,” Majidi warned.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Taherian, Head of Semnan’s Crisis Management Department, noted that the exact fuel storage levels inside the affected refinery remain unknown, making it difficult to estimate when the fire could be contained.
The Red Crescent’s Derakhshan further confirmed that the number of injured had risen to six, with four additional firefighters suffering from heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. “They have been hospitalized, and while their conditions are not critical, they require medical attention,” he said.
Local officials, including Semnan Governor Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemi, have arrived at the scene to assess the situation and lead the emergency response. However, the exact cause of the initial explosion remains unclear, and no official statement regarding the cause has been made. Early reports speculate that a malfunction in one of the oil condensate tanks could have triggered the blasts.
The severity of the explosions and the extensive damage caused have raised concerns over safety protocols within the industrial zone. According to Etemad Online, 12 oil condensate tanks were located within the factory that caught fire, and the risk of further explosions remains high.
As firefighters continue to battle the flames, the industrial park has been evacuated, and neighboring factories have been shut down as a precaution. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area while emergency services work to control the situation.
This latest disaster in Garmsar is a stark reminder of the Iranian regime’s systemic neglect of the country’s critical economic infrastructure. Instead of ensuring safety protocols and investing in the well-being of the nation’s industrial workforce, Tehran continues to prioritize its nuclear, missile, and regional ambitions over the lives and livelihoods of its people.
The regime’s chronic mismanagement and disregard for basic safety measures are costing Iranian workers their lives in preventable accidents. The recent coal mine tragedy in Tabas, which claimed dozens of lives due to inadequate safety standards, stands as a tragic example of this ongoing failure. As explosions like those in Garmsar continue to occur, it becomes increasingly clear that the regime’s agenda is aimed at fortifying its grip on power rather than securing a safe and prosperous future for its citizens.
