Public Health Risks in Economic Port Mass Gatherings: Lessons from the Shahid Rajaei Port Explosion

Abstract

Introduction: The 2025 Shahid Rajaei Port explosion in Iran serves as a critical case study in public health failures within high-risk industrial zones. This incident, which killed dozens and injured over 1,500, exposed systemic vulnerabilities in hazardous material management, emergency response, and health infrastructure at economically vital ports. Case Presentation: Key deficiencies included delayed hazard identification due to absent real-time cargo tracking, chaotic crisis coordination among agencies, and collapsed medical systems lacking chemical exposure protocols. The disaster further revealed profound gaps in victim identification, mental health support, and responder safety, exacerbating long-term trauma and eroding public trust. Comparative analysis with global port disasters (Tianjin, Beirut) underscores recurring patterns of neglected safety protocols and institutional complacency. Conclusions: This study proposes actionable reforms: (1) Reclassifying ports as mass gathering zones requiring Hajj-level health preparedness; (2) implementing smart tracking systems for populations and hazardous materials; and (3) establishing unified command structures with embedded mental health teams. The findings emphasize that ports’ economic significance demands proportional investment in safety as a non-negotiable priority, not a discretionary cost.