A tragic bus accident in central Iran has resulted in the death of at least 28 Shiite pilgrims traveling from Pakistan to Iraq, according to local officials. The crash occurred late Tuesday night in Yazd province, as reported by Mohammad Ali Malekzadeh, a local emergency services official.
The vehicle was transporting 51 pilgrims en route to Iraq for Arbaeen, a significant Shiite observance commemorating the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.The event draws millions to Karbala each year.
The crash left another 23 people injured, with 14 suffering serious injuries. The cause of the accident has not been determined. Iran’s road safety issues are well-documented, with the country experiencing approximately 17,000 traffic fatalities annually due to poor adherence to traffic laws, unsafe vehicles, and insufficient emergency response in rural areas.
In a separate incident early Wednesday, a bus crash in Sistan and Baluchestan province resulted in six fatalities and 18 injuries. Authorities continue to investigate both accidents.