At least 35 Pakistani pilgrims lost their lives, and 15 others were seriously injured in a tragic bus accident in Yazd, Iran. The unfortunate incident occurred when a bus carrying the pilgrims overturned and caught fire near the Taftan-Dehshir checkpoint. This accident happened around 700 kilometers from the Pakistani embassy in Tehran.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Mudassir Tipu, confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. He reported that 28 pilgrims died in the accident, and the remaining 23 passengers were injured. He also mentioned that embassy officials had already left for Yazd to assist in the emergency response, and an officer in Zahedan was overseeing the necessary arrangements.
According to Iranian media, the accident was likely caused by overspeeding and brake failure. The bus, which had 53 passengers on board, crashed into a school wall before catching fire. The crash happened late at night, and rescue workers quickly arrived at the scene to transport the injured and the deceased to nearby hospitals.
Maulana Qamar Abbas Naqvi, a member of a peace committee based in Larkana, Pakistan, shared that 30 people died on the spot, while five others succumbed to their injuries later at the hospital. He also revealed that the group of pilgrims was traveling in two buses, but only the bus in the front met with the accident. The second bus was delayed due to documentation issues and was not involved in the crash.
The crisis management director general of Yazd province confirmed to Iranian state TV that 11 women and 17 men were among those who lost their lives. He added that seven of the injured were in critical condition, and six people had already been discharged from the hospital.
Preliminary investigations by Iranian traffic police suggested that a technical defect in the bus’s braking system caused the accident. This has raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of vehicles used for long-distance travel in the region.
Syed Athar Shamsi, the leader of the convoy, stated that the pilgrims were on their way to participate in Arbaeen, an important religious observance. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and mentioned that the injured were being treated in a local government hospital. Most of the injured passengers were in critical condition, and the situation was being closely monitored.
In response to the tragedy, Pakistani leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Omar Ayub, expressed their condolences. President Zardari directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide all necessary assistance to the injured and to help bring the bodies of the deceased back to Pakistan. The entire nation mourns the loss of these lives, and prayers have been offered for the speedy recovery of those injured in this devastating accident.
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