A bus carrying Pakistani pilgrims has tragically overturned in Iran, resulting in the deaths of at least 28 passengers, according to Iranian state media. The incident occurred in the central province of Yazd on Tuesday night and was attributed to a faulty braking system, as reported by Reuters citing a preliminary police investigation.
Among the victims were 11 women and 17 men, with another 23 passengers sustaining injuries, seven of whom are in critical condition, as confirmed by the province’s crisis management director to state TV. The pilgrims were en route from Sindh province in Pakistan to the holy city of Karbala in Iraq to observe a significant event in the Shia calendar.
The bus, carrying an estimated 53 individuals including pilgrims from various cities in Sindh, caught fire near the Dehshir-Taft checkpoint in Iran, approximately 681km south of Tehran. The crisis management director, Ali Malekzadeh, attributed the accident to a combination of factors including lack of control by the driver, unfamiliarity with the road, high speed, and technical issues.
In response to the tragedy, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has initiated efforts to repatriate the deceased and provide assistance to the injured. Interior Minister Moshin Naqvi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and pledged support for recovery operations. The Pakistani consulate in Iran has been directed to collaborate with local authorities, while the country’s ambassador to Tehran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, is coordinating with Iranian officials.
The pilgrimage the victims were undertaking, known as Arbaeen, marks the culmination of a 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed. The annual event draws millions of pilgrims to Karbala, where the tomb of Imam Hussein is located, symbolizing a profound expression of grief and devotion among Shia Muslims worldwide.
Last year, Arbaeen attracted around 25 million participants, making it the largest annual pilgrimage globally, surpassing the number of pilgrims attending the Hajj in Mecca. The tragic bus accident serves as a somber reminder of the risks and challenges faced by pilgrims undertaking religious journeys, highlighting the importance of safety measures and support systems in place to prevent such incidents in the future.