Tragic Bus Crash in Iran Claims Lives of 28 Pakistani Pilgrims

A devastating bus crash in Iran has resulted in the deaths of at least 28 Pakistani pilgrims, according to Iranian state media. The accident occurred on Tuesday night in the central province of Yazd.

The bus was carrying pilgrims from Pakistan’s Sindh province to Karbala, Iraq, for a significant Shia religious event. Approximately 50 people were on board at the time of the crash, including pilgrims from Larkana, Ghotki, and other cities in Sindh.

In addition to the fatalities, 23 passengers were injured, 14 of whom are in critical condition, according to Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu. The deceased include 11 women and 17 men.

The accident occurred near the Dehshir-Taft checkpoint, about 681 km south of Tehran, when the bus veered off the road due to a combination of high speed, driver unfamiliarity with the road, and technical issues, as stated by Ali Malekzadeh, the crisis management director.

The bus subsequently caught fire, exacerbating the tragedy. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the foreign ministry to assist in repatriating the bodies and providing aid to the injured, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. The Pakistani consulate in Iran is actively involved in recovery efforts and coordinating with local authorities in Yazd.