21-8-2024 (TEHRAN) A devastating road accident in central Iran has resulted in the loss of at least 28 lives and left numerous others injured. The incident, involving a bus carrying Shiite pilgrims from Pakistan to Iraq, occurred on Tuesday night in the province of Yazd, approximately 500 kilometres southeast of Tehran.
Mohammad Ali Malekzadeh, a local emergency official, provided details to the state-run IRNA news agency, confirming that all 51 passengers aboard the ill-fated vehicle were Pakistani nationals. In addition to the fatalities, 23 individuals sustained injuries, with 14 cases described as serious.
The tragedy unfolded on the outskirts of Taft, where the bus reportedly overturned. Iranian state television broadcast harrowing images of the aftermath, showing the vehicle upside-down on the highway, its roof severely damaged and doors flung open. Rescue workers were seen carefully navigating through the debris-strewn scene.
Malekzadeh attributed the accident to brake failure and driver inattention, highlighting the ongoing concerns about road safety in Iran. The country has long grappled with one of the world’s worst traffic safety records, with annual fatalities reaching a staggering 17,000. This alarming statistic is often linked to widespread disregard for traffic regulations, substandard vehicles, and insufficient emergency services in rural areas.
Pakistani authorities identified the passengers as residents of Larkana, a city in the southern Sindh province. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, assuring that diplomatic efforts were underway to assist those affected. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” Sharif stated on social media.
The pilgrims were en route to Iraq to participate in Arbaeen, a significant religious observance for Shiite Muslims. This event commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, during the Battle of Karbala. Arbaeen draws tens of millions of pilgrims to Karbala each year, making it one of the largest annual gatherings worldwide. Iranian police had already reported that three million pilgrims had crossed the country’s borders for this year’s commemoration.
In a cruel twist of fate, a separate bus accident in Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province claimed six more lives and left 18 injured early Wednesday morning, further underscoring the perilous nature of road travel in the region.
