By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: At least 28 Pakistani pilgrims were killed, and 14 others were critically injured when their bus crashed and caught fire in the Iranian city of Yazd on Tuesday night, officials and media reported on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran confirmed the death toll.
“In pursuit of their religious journey, 28 Pakistani zaireen laid down their lives last night in Yazd city due to a bus accident. Another 23 were injured,” Ambassador Mudassir Tipu said in a post on X.
“I have no words to express my grief, but I can assure you that I will do my very best for the repatriation of those who passed away.”
The bus, carrying 51 passengers mostly from Larkana, Ghotki, and other cities in Sindh, overturned and burst into flames due to brake failure, according to initial reports.
Local TV channels reported that among the injured, 10 hailed from Khairpur, with the remainder from Kashmore in southern Sindh province.
“We have so far received reports of 28 deaths and 23 injuries, with 14 of them being serious,” said Mohammad Ali Malekzadeh, a local emergency official, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
The injured were taken to local hospitals in Yazd.
“A bus carrying Pakistani pilgrims overturned and caught fire in front of the Dehshir-Taft checkpoint in the central province of Yazd on Tuesday night,” Iranian state TV reported. “Twenty-eight people have been killed, and 23 injured so far, with the possibility of the death toll increasing.”
The pilgrims were headed to Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen, a major Shiite religious event, when the accident occurred.
Iran has one of the world’s worst traffic safety records, with around 17,000 deaths annually, blamed on disregard for traffic laws, unsafe vehicles, and inadequate emergency services in rural areas.
President Asif Ali Zardari condoled the loss of life in the devastating bus accident and directed the foreign ministry to facilitate the repatriation of deceased citizens.
“The president expressed his condolences over the loss of precious lives,” said a statement released by his office in Islamabad. “He instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to arrange the repatriation of the deceased and ensure timely assistance for the injured.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed grave concern for the injured and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
“I have given instructions to our Ambassador in Tehran to ascertain the exact situation and provide swift medical relief and recovery services as well as arrange repatriation of dead bodies to Pakistan,” Dar said on the social media platform X. “Our embassy is in constant touch with authorities in Yazd city. We thank the Iranian government for their assistance and help.”
Local media reported that the death toll had risen to 35, with 15 injured, citing local Shia scholar Syed Qamar Abbas Naqvi. However, this figure could not be independently confirmed.
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