Several dead in Iran plant blast

An explosion and subsequent fire in a petrochemicals plant in southern Iran has left “several people” dead, Mehr News Agency has reported.

The massive blast was caused by a leak in a gas pipeline in Pardis petrochemicals plant in the southern Iranian city of Asalouyeh.

According to Mehr, the blast occurred at 2 p.m. local time (0930 GMT), killing several workers.

The second phase of Pardis petrochemicals plant was inaugurated last week in Asalouyeh, which is also home to Iran’s giant South Pars gas field.