Tragic Bus Accident Kills 28 Pakistani Pilgrims, Injures 23 Others in Iran
At least 28 Pakistani pilgrims have lost their lives after a bus carrying them to Iraq’s Arbaeen ceremonies overturned in the central Iranian province of Yazd on Tuesday night. An additional 23 people were injured, 14 of whom are in critical condition, according to reports.
The accident occurred around 9:50 PM local time, roughly 18:20 GMT, on the Iran-Iraq border route in Dehshir village, Taft County. Mohammad-Ali Malekzadeh, the director general of the provincial crisis management department, reported that the bus was traveling with Pakistani pilgrims bound for Iraq.
Eyewitnesses recount the horror as the bus lost control, crashing due to a technical fault in the braking system, according to investigations. Miraculously, initial rescue efforts enabled the prompt response and transfer of wounded passengers to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Nasser Kanaani, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman, expressed deepest sympathies on behalf of Iran over the unfortunate loss of lives and assured the relevant organizations and authorities continued their work on providing necessary relief, services, and treatments for those involved.
The tragic accident raises concerns ahead of this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage, marking the 40th day since the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. This event typically brings millions of pilgrims from various nations together in central Iraq.
Recent unrelated incidents in Iraq involving two separate car accidents also leave 73 people injured, predominantly from Iran, adding to the sense of trepidation over road safety. It remains vital for authorities and responsible entities to act swiftly in these critical instances, prioritizing prompt responses to address the humanitarian toll such accidents bear.
Iran, it is pertinent to note, remains devoted to supporting victims’ families by arranging chartered planes for them to return home safely, despite these unprecedented circumstances.
A time of grief now surrounds this fatal bus incident, with Iranian Foreign Ministry efforts in high gear to mend the damage while vowing that no efforts shall be spared for victim assistance.
Here, prayers go out for all the pilgrims who continue their travels to Arbaeen ceremonies amid heightened anxiety in light of these unforeseen fatalities.
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