TEHRAN: At least 35 people lost their lives, and 15 others were injured when a bus carrying Pakistani pilgrims was involved in a tragic accident in Yazd, Iran.
Iranian media reports that the bus overturned and caught fire near the Taftan-Dehshir checkpoint.
The bus, carrying 50 passengers, encountered the accident late last night. Upon receiving the information, police and rescue teams swiftly arrived at the scene, transporting the victims and the injured to a nearby hospital.
The ill-fated bus was part of a convoy carrying 51 Shia pilgrims, along with two drivers, from various regions of Pakistan, including Larkana, Khairpur Mirs, and Kandhkot.
Muhammad Ali Malekzadeh, a local emergency official, reported that another 23 people were injured in the crash, with 14 of them in serious condition, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
The convoy leader, Syed Athar Shah Shamsi, stated that the accident occurred on Tuesday night, allegedly due to a brake failure, which caused the bus to crash and catch fire. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue, with many survivors in critical condition.
Among the deceased, 10 pilgrims were from Khairpur Mirs, six from Kandhkot, and the remaining victims were residents of Larkana. The convoy consisted of two buses, one of which had been delayed at the Pakistan-Iran border during Ramadan due to a technical visa issue, Shamsi noted.
The pilgrims were en route to Iraq to participate in Arbaeen, the commemoration of the chehlum of the Karbala martyrs, a gathering in Karbala, Iraq, that is considered the largest annual public event in the world.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the accident. In his statement, he conveyed his regret and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased, also offering prayers for patience and strength to the bereaved families. He instructed the Foreign Ministry to take immediate steps to repatriate the bodies of the deceased and provide timely assistance to the injured.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed profound sorrow and regret over the incident. In his message, Naqvi extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He emphasized that his sympathies were with the families of the victims and assured them that he shares in their grief.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also expressed sorrow over the tragic deaths of the Pakistani pilgrims. She extended her sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured, assuring them that the Punjab government stands with them in this hour of sorrow, offering full support and solidarity.
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I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
