A bus carrying Pakistani pilgrims met with a fatal accident when it overturned in the city of Yazd in Iran, resulting in the death of at least 28 passengers, including women and children.

The ill-fated bus was part of a convoy transporting 51 Shia pilgrims, along with two drivers, from various regions of Pakistan, including Larkana, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Johi and Kandhkot.

Muhammad Ali Malekzadeh, a local emergency official, said another 20 people suffered injuries in the crash, 14 of them serious, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. The injured are currently receiving treatment in Yazd hospitals.

According to the convoy leader, Syed Athar Shah Shamsi, the accident occurred on Tuesday night due to an alleged brake failure, leading the bus to crash and catching fire. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue, with many of the survivors in critical condition.

Among the deceased, 10 pilgrims hailed from Khairpur Mirs and six from Kandhkot, while the remaining victims were residents of Larkana. The convoy consisted of two buses, one of which was stuck in the Pakistan-Iran border area in Ramadan due to a technical problem in the visa, Shamsi said.

The pilgrims had been on their way to Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen, which marks the chehlum of the Karbala martyrs. Pilgrims gather in Karbala, Iraq, in what’s regarded as the largest annual public gathering in the world.

Families demand information

Among the victims were two cousins, Mohsin and Afaq Junejo, residents of Juneja village in Naudero. However, their families have yet to be informed of their fate, whether they were injured or deceased.

Shakeel Kalhoro, a relative of one of the passengers, expressed his anguish, stating that his brother, Imran Kalhoro, was also on board the ill-fated coach.

The family has not received confirmation regarding his status, and the lack of communication has deepened their distress, he added.

Reports from Khairpur indicate that 10 pilgrims from the region were part of the convoy. The families of these pilgrims have confirmed that three have sustained injuries, but they are still awaiting information about the remaining seven.

The families of those involved in the accident, hailing from Naudero, have appealed for the swift release of photographs and information regarding the deceased and injured to help them identify and confirm the status of their loved ones. "We haven't had any contact with the convoy leader yet," the families complain.

They say the atmosphere in the homes of those affected is one of mourning, with families anxiously awaiting news.

Condolences pour in

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound grief over the loss of precious lives in the accident. In his statement, President Zardari conveyed his regret over the tragedy and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased.

He also offered prayers for patience for the bereaved families. The president directed the Foreign Ministry to take immediate steps to bring the bodies of the deceased back to Pakistan and to provide timely assistance to the injured.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed deep sorrow and regret over the incident. In his message, Naqvi extended his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the deceased pilgrims. He prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident and expressed his deep sadness over the loss of precious human lives.

Naqvi emphasized that all his sympathies were with the families of the victims, and he assured them that he shares in their grief.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also expressed sorrow over the tragic deaths of the Pakistani pilgrims. Maryam extended her sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.

She assured the affected families that the Punjab government stands with them in this hour of sorrow, offering support and solidarity.