Deadly Blaze at Iran’s Abadan Refinery Leaves One Dead

A fire has erupted at Unit 70 of Iran’s Abadan oil refinery, killing one employee and injuring several others.

Despite the fatal incident, refinery operations reportedly remained uninterrupted, The Caspian Post reports via foreign media.

According to initial technical probes, the cause of the fire was a leak in one of the pumps in Unit 70, and no evidence of sabotage or human intervention has been observed so far.

The blaze left several workers with burn injuries, with three reported in serious condition, Abadan Governor Khosrow Pirhadi told state television. He also pointed to aging infrastructure as a likely factor behind the accident.

“Worn-out parts at the refinery may have caused the incident,” Pirhadi said.

Video footage shared by local media showed intense flames and thick black smoke pouring from the refinery - Iran’s oldest crude processing facility - as emergency responders worked to bring the fire under control.

Located in the Khuzestan province, Abadan is currently experiencing scorching summer temperatures, with highs approaching 50°C (122°F). The extreme heat, coupled with decades-old infrastructure, has heightened concerns over operational safety in Iran’s energy sector.

The Abadan refinery, like most of the country’s oil and gas facilities, is in critical need of modernization following years of wear exacerbated by international sanctions that have limited access to parts and investment.