A bus carrying pilgrims from Pakistan crashed at a checkpost in Yazd, Iran on Tuesday night, killing at least 28, while injuring around 23 others.
According to reports, the bus was carrying pilgrims from Larkana, Ghotki and other parts of Sindh to Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, and overturned due to overspeeding and brake failure, after which it caught fire. The bus was carrying more than 50 pilgrims, out of which 14 were women. According to reports, the pilgrims were moving in two buses, and while one bus crashed, the other was left behind due to documentation issues.
Following the accident, the authorities rushed the injured pilgrims to the hospitals in Yazd, where an emergency had been imposed and where they received medical treatment. According to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu, the accident took place around 300km away from the embassy. According to Iranian media, the precise location of the accident was the Taftan-Dehshir checkpoint. The Pakistani envoy wrote on X that the officials of the embassy had already left for Yazd, while one officer had been deployed to oversee the provision of medical facilities. Separately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also announced that the Crisis Management Unit has been activated to repatriate the bodies of the deceased.
Yazd’s Crisis Management Chief Ali Malekzadeh disclosed on Wednesday that 11 women and 17 men had died in the accident. Giving out details of those receiving treatment at the local hospitals, he said that 14 individuals were in critical condition, whereas six had been discharged.
President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement, expressed grief over the deaths of the pilgrims in the accident and prayed for the departed souls and their families. He also prayed for the early recovery of those who were injured in the accident. The president directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to repatriate the bodies as soon as possible and to make arrangements for the provision of medical facilities to the injured. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sadness over the loss of lives and revealed that the Pakistani Mission in Iran has been directed to extend assistance to the families of the pilgrims.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also said that the Pakistani Embassy in Iran was constantly in touch with the local authorities to provide medical services to the injured and to repatriate the bodies to Pakistan. He also thanked the Iranian government for the assistance and help they have provided in this case. The deputy prime minister also condoled the deaths of the pilgrims and expressed concern for the safety and welfare of those injured.
Through separate statements, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives. They offered their condolences to the families of the pilgrims, terming the loss they had incurred “irreparable”. They also stood in solidarity with the families, saying that they shared their grief and sorrow. Both of them also prayed for the deceased souls and the bereaved families they left behind.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also issued a statement, wherein he condoled the families of the pilgrims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident. He said that he was deeply saddened by the loss of human lives in the accident and was standing with the families of the deceased and injured pilgrims in this difficult time.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also offered condolences to the families of the pilgrims who died in the accident. In her statement, she also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. She also expressed the provincial government’s solidarity with the families in this difficult time.
Others who offered their condolences following the incident include Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Opposition Leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub and Senator Sherry Rehman.