According to local Iranian Media, twenty one people have been injured in an explosion at the Rizan Steel Factory in Qom, Iran. The Qom University of Medical Sciences reported that Khairin Salamat Hospital received 21 people with injuries; one person had critical injuries. Reporting from the Medical Emergency and Accident Management Center indicated that at least three ambulances responded to the scene and transported all patients. It is not currently clear what caused the explosion. In 2021, Qom was impacted by several industrial explosions and fires, especially at a chemical factory which injured 2 firefighters.
In the last week, Iranian Steel firms have been racked with issues. On September 15th, Khuzestan Steel Company was forced to halt operations due to power shortages in southwestern Iran near Ahvaz, the provincial capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province. Residents there are grappling with regular power outages in the midst of one of the worst heatwaves in recent history.
On September 16th, the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) suspended Mobarakeh Steel Company following a scathing parliament report about an alleged $3 billion corruption case. However, operations have not halted at Mobarakeh plants.
