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'Blast' at new Iran oil refinery as Ahmadinejad visits | 'Blast' at new Iran oil refinery as Ahmadinejad visits |
(about 1 hour later) | |
One person has been killed and at least 20 hurt in an explosion at a refinery in Iran during a visit by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian media say. | One person has been killed and at least 20 hurt in an explosion at a refinery in Iran during a visit by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian media say. |
He was not hurt in the blast and went on to make a televised speech to mark the opening of the oil refinery, in the south-western city of Abadan. | He was not hurt in the blast and went on to make a televised speech to mark the opening of the oil refinery, in the south-western city of Abadan. |
A technical problem caused the blast and then a fire, Fars news agency said. | A technical problem caused the blast and then a fire, Fars news agency said. |
Thick smoke was seen rising from the refinery but the fire was under control, the semi-official agency said. | Thick smoke was seen rising from the refinery but the fire was under control, the semi-official agency said. |
Another news agency, Mehr, said the explosion was caused by a gas leak and some employees inhaled toxic substances. | |
In August last year, Iranian authorities denied that an explosive device had been thrown at Mr Ahmadinejad's convoy near the city of Hamedan. | In August last year, Iranian authorities denied that an explosive device had been thrown at Mr Ahmadinejad's convoy near the city of Hamedan. |
Mr Ahmadinejad is currently involved in a power struggle with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after the latter reinstated the intelligence minister the president tried to sack. | Mr Ahmadinejad is currently involved in a power struggle with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after the latter reinstated the intelligence minister the president tried to sack. |
Historical significance | Historical significance |
The refinery is being launched in two phases and ultimately will produce more than 6m litres (1.3m UK gallons) of petrol a day, mostly for domestic consumption. | The refinery is being launched in two phases and ultimately will produce more than 6m litres (1.3m UK gallons) of petrol a day, mostly for domestic consumption. |
Correspondents say Mr Ahmadinejad's presence shows the importance Iran, a major oil producer, places on increasing its refining capacity as sanctions hit its ability to import petrol. | Correspondents say Mr Ahmadinejad's presence shows the importance Iran, a major oil producer, places on increasing its refining capacity as sanctions hit its ability to import petrol. |
Accidents are relatively frequent in Iran's oil and gas infrastructure, and state media said similar incidents had been reported at the plant in the weeks before it opened. | |
There have also been media reports of two acts of sabotage against the main gas pipeline from the south to the capital Tehran, though they said supply was not affected. | |
The port of Abadan has a special significance in Iranian history after post-war Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq nationalised the Iranian assets of the Anglo-Iranian oil company. His move led eventually to a CIA-backed coup which overthrew him and led to decades of Iranian animosity towards the West. | The port of Abadan has a special significance in Iranian history after post-war Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq nationalised the Iranian assets of the Anglo-Iranian oil company. His move led eventually to a CIA-backed coup which overthrew him and led to decades of Iranian animosity towards the West. |