Bus tragedy in Iran: At least 28 dead, 23 injured on route to Taft

The tragic bus accident occurred overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. The vehicle was carrying Shia pilgrims from Pakistan to Iraq through Iran. As the local emergency official Mohammad Ali Malekzadeh reported, the driver lost control of the vehicle during the night drive.

Local media showed photos from the accident scene, displaying an overturned bus with a crushed roof and open doors. Rescuers were carefully searching the scene, attempting to reach survivors.

Local emergency services representative Mohammad Ali Malekzadeh blamed the accident on brake failure and driver inattentiveness.

At the time of the accident, were 51 people on board the bus. At least 28 people were killed, and 23 were seriously injured.

Local media in Pakistan quoted Qamar Abbas, a Shia community leader, who stated that the number of victims could be as high as 35. These figures have not yet been officially confirmed. Abbas also mentioned that the passengers were from Larkana in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of precious human lives in the bus accident in Iran - expressed his condolences the Pakistani Minister of Interior, Mohsin Naqvu.

It is already known that the pilgrims were headed to Iraq to participate in the Arbaeen observance, commemorating the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Husayn. Arbaeen is one of the most significant events for Shia and annually draws tens of millions of faithful to Karbala in Iraq.

Iran struggles with one of the highest road accident rates in the world, with an annual death toll reaching 17,000. Such a high number is explained by widespread disregard for traffic rules, dangerous vehicles, and insufficient emergency care, especially in vast rural areas.