Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Blast at Iranian refinery as Ahmadinejad visits

Reuters
Tuesday 24 May 2011 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A lethal explosion at an Iranian oil refinery during a visit by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday left the President unhurt but delivered an embarrassing blow to his drive to increase gasoline output.

Mr Ahmadinejad appeared on state television shortly after the blast, lauding the inauguration of Iran's latest refinery upgrade. But two MPs said the plant in Abadan, south-west Iran, was unsafe and should not have been rushed into production. The semi-official Mehr news agency, which initially put the death toll at two, said a gas leak had caused the blast.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in