News28 Pakistani pilgrims feared dead in Iran crash

According to local reports, the Director-General of the provincial crisis management department, Mohammad-Ali Malekzadeh, stated that the bus was en route to the Iran-Iraq border when the crash occurred. Of the injured, 14 are in critical condition and receiving treatment at local medical facilities. Authorities are coordinating with the Iranian Foreign Ministry to arrange the repatriation of both the deceased and the injured to Pakistan.

A tragic accident on Tuesday night in Yazd Province, Iran, has resulted in the deaths of at least 28 Pakistani pilgrims and injuries to 23 others. The bus, transporting the pilgrims to Iraq for the Arbaeen ceremonies, overturned in Dehshir village, Taft County, around 9:50 p.m. local time (18:20 GMT).

Initial investigations by Iran’s Traffic Police Chief, Seyyed Teymour Hosseini, suggest that a technical fault in the bus’s braking system was responsible for the crash. Traffic police experts are on-site conducting further investigations.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, expressed deep condolences for the loss of the Pakistani pilgrims, describing the incident as deeply saddening. He assured that rescue, service, and treatment efforts are ongoing with the full support of relevant Iranian authorities.