A tragic bus accident in Iran has claimed the lives of at least 28 Pakistani pilgrims who were traveling to Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen, a major Shia religious event.
The crash occurred on Tuesday night in the central Iranian province of Yazd, resulting in injuries to 23 others.
The bus, carrying pilgrims from Sindh province in Pakistan, overturned due to a defective braking system, according to preliminary investigations.
The crash happened near the Dehshir-Taft checkpoint, about 681 kilometers south of Tehran.
Eleven women and 17 men were among the fatalities, and seven of the injured are in critical condition. The bus caught fire after the accident, adding to the devastation.
Pakistan’s government has mobilized its foreign ministry to repatriate the bodies of those killed and provide aid to the injured.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Moshin Naqvi expressed their deep sorrow over the tragedy.
The Pakistani consulate in Iran is assisting with recovery efforts, and the country’s ambassador to Tehran is in close contact with Iranian authorities.
Arbaeen, a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, is a significant event for Shia Muslims, and the crash has cast a shadow over the pilgrimage.
