Iran’s Dogharoun border terminal with Afghanistan in Khorasan Razavi Province will be closed for at least two weeks after a fuel tanker exploded at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday in a parking lot on the Afghan side of the border [Islam Qala crossing in Afghanistan’s Herat Province].
“The explosion set fire to at least 100 fuel tankers nearby,” Javad Hedayati, a senior official with Iran Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, told ILNA.
“We were quick to open Iran’s border to allow Iranian and Afghan truckers to return to the country and keep away from the fire,” he added.
The file photo shows Dogharoun border crossing before the explosion
Noting that Afghan officials have yet to determine the cause of the explosion, the official said, “Mahiroud border crossing in South Khorasan Province and Milak border crossing in southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province [which are the main trade corridors between the two countries] must be ready for a surge of trucks and traffic.”
Firefighters struggled for a second day on Sunday to battle the massive fire.
Dozens were injured and many of the more than 500 trucks lined up at the Islam Qala crossing carrying natural gas and fuel were still ablaze.