A bus in Iran veered off the road and caught fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of 28 passengers in a horrific crash believed to have been caused by brake failure.
The accident occurred in Yazd province, injuring 23 others, many critically.
The bus was carrying Pakistani pilgrims en route to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq for religious celebrations.
Authorities suspect a faulty brake system led to the crash, which is under investigation.
Yazd’s crisis management director, Ali Malekzadeh, mentioned that the bus lost control due to the driver’s unfamiliarity with the road, high speed, and technical issues. The bus ignited after crashing near Taft, about 310 miles southeast of Tehran.
Shocking images show the overturned bus with its roof crushed and doors flung open.
Videos on social media capture a large crowd surveying the scene, while rescue teams search for survivors amid the debris.
The deceased included 17 men and 11 women, with Pakistani authorities now working to repatriate the bodies.
Interior Minister Moshin Naqvi expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of life.
Malekzadeh confirmed the death toll and noted that seven of the injured are in critical condition, while six have been discharged from the hospital.
Iran’s road safety record is notorious, with nearly 20,000 fatalities annually attributed to reckless driving, unsafe vehicles, and inadequate emergency services in rural areas.
The pilgrims were participating in Arbaeen, a major event in the Shia Muslim calendar, attracting an estimated 2 million participants. The event commemorates the death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein, at the Battle of Karbala.
Local religious leader Qamar Abbas feared the death toll could be as high as 35, noting that the pilgrims were from Larkana in Pakistan’s Sindh province.
This tragic incident is not the first to occur during the pilgrimage; in 2019, a stampede claimed 31 lives. On the same day, another fatal bus crash in southeastern Iran killed six and injured 18, underscoring the country’s alarming road safety issues.
