Tehran / Abadan, July 20, 2025 –
A severe blaze erupted on Saturday at Iran’s largest and oldest oil refinery in Abadan, located in the southwestern Khuzestan province, tragically claiming the life of one worker and injuring several others, state media reported.
Incident Details
According to Iran’s oil ministry news agency SHANA, the fire ignited in Unit 70 due to a leak in a pump within a unit that was undergoing repairs. Within two hours, firefighters from Abadan and neighboring areas controlled the flames. Operations at the facility were reportedly unaffected besides the emergency response .
Abadan refinery, which began operations in 1912, processes approximately 5.2 million barrels of crude oil daily—around 25% of Iran’s total fuel production .
Human Toll and Infrastructure Concerns
Sadly, one employee lost their life, and at least three colleagues sustained serious injuries, officials confirmed. Abadan’s governor, Khosrow Pirhadi, suggested aged equipment may be at fault . Deputy parliament speaker Ali Nikzad also noted additional minor injuries among workers .
Context and Consequences
The fire comes amid extreme heat across Khuzestan, where daily temperatures hover near 50 °C (122 °F) . Additionally, a series of recent fires at other oil, residential, and commercial sites have raised concerns about deteriorating infrastructure—challenges intensified by long-standing Western sanctions .
Looking Ahead
Authorities have launched technical probes, finding no evidence of sabotage or foul play . Amid national discussions on infrastructure modernization, this incident adds urgency to calls for immediate safety upgrades across Iran’s energy sector.
Key Takeaways
• Cause: Pump leak in repair zone of Unit 70.
• Casualties: One fatality; several injured.
• Response: Fire extinguished within ~2 hours; refinery operations stayed active.
• Challenge: Aging equipment amid extreme heat raises safety concerns.
• Context: Iran’s oil facilities require urgent renovation after decades under sanctions.
