Bus crash in Iran kills 28 Pakistani pilgrims, injures 23
What's the story
A bus accident in central Iran has claimed the lives of at least 28 Pakistani pilgrims and left 23 others injured.
The incident occurred late on Tuesday near the Dehshir-Taft checkpoint in Yazd province.
The bus was carrying 53 passengers to the sacred city of Karbala in Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, a significant event for Shia Muslims.
Accident cause
Technical defect in braking system led to the accident
The bus overturned and caught fire due to a technical defect in its braking system, as per preliminary investigations by Yazd's traffic police.
This information was reported by Iranian state media on Wednesday.
Ali Malekzadeh, the crisis management director general of Yazd, confirmed to state TV that "11 women and 17 men lost their lives in this accident."
Victim details
Iran's traffic safety record under scrutiny
He further revealed that seven of the injured individuals are in critical condition while six have been discharged from the hospital.
The accident has brought attention to Iran's poor traffic safety record, which is among the worst globally with approximately 17,000 fatalities each year.
The high death toll is often attributed to disregard for traffic laws, unsafe vehicles, and inadequate emergency services in rural areas.
Safety concerns
What is the Arbaeen pilgrimage
The Arbaeen pilgrimage draws millions of Shia Muslims annually, many of whom travel through Iran to reach their destination.
The Arbaeen commemoration marks the 40th day of mourning for Imam Hussein, a revered figure in Shia Islam.
Last year alone, the Arbaeen commemoration in Karbala attracted around 22 million pilgrims.