Tehran, July 7, IRNA – Authorities have dispatched a firefighting aircraft to help contain the fire in the Bou Ali Sina Petrochemical Plant located near the Iranian southern port city of Mahshar, says Iran Civil Aviation Organization.


A firefighting plane capable of carrying 40,000 liters of water was sent to Kuzestan Province at 14:00 local time today, Reza Jaffarzadeh head of the organization's public affairs department told the Islamic Republic News Agency on Thursday.

The plane is now ready to launch aerial backup operation from the Ahvaz city airport, Jaffarzadeh said.

Started on Wednesday, the raging fire at the petrochemical complex has fortunately caused no injuries or deaths.

Earlier reports suggested that the fire is not threatening the nearby cities of Mahshar and Bandar Emam, another Iranian energy and petrochemical hub.

But to be on the safe side, authorities have stopped cars from entering the crisis zone.

According to the provincial authorities in Khuzestan, the fire is almost contained and aid from neighboring provinces is expected to pour in case it is needed.

Four helicopters are also at the scene to help extinguish the fire.

By IRNA