Iranian authorities have revised the official death toll from the devastating April 26 explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port, the country’s main commercial maritime hub, lowering the number of fatalities to 57 from the previously reported 70.

The revised count was confirmed by Hormozgan province's Chief Justice Mojtaba Qahremani, who explained that the reduction followed forensic examinations. “The new figure includes 46 recovered and identified bodies, while 11 individuals remain missing,” Qahremani said. He noted that earlier figures were adjusted after it was determined that some recovered body parts belonged to the same victims. A special task force has been set up to continue searching for the missing.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported on Sunday that two individuals, including a government official, had been arrested in connection with the explosion. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said over 1,200 people were injured in the blast and ensuing fire, which triggered a large-scale emergency response. Search and rescue efforts were officially concluded on Sunday.

Authorities have cited major safety lapses as contributing factors to the disaster. A provincial crisis management statement pointed to failures in adhering to basic safety and passive defense protocols. Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni also noted "certain negligence" during a press conference held last week.

The explosion rocked Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran’s Hormozgan province, a key gateway for the country’s maritime trade. As Iran's largest container port, it handles more than half of the nation's total cargo volume. The incident has raised serious concerns about port safety standards and emergency preparedness at one of the region's busiest logistics hubs.

An investigation into the causes and accountability behind the explosion is ongoing. (ILKHA)