- Tragic Minibus Collision Claims 18 Lives
- Details and Nationalities of the Deceased
- Road Safety Challenges During Religious Pilgrimages in Iraq
On Saturday, medical officials reported that an accident involving two minibusses resulted in the deaths of 18 persons, the majority of whom were Iranian pilgrims. The incident occurred north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
The “horrible accident” occurred between Dujail and Samarra, according to the state news agency INA, which cited Khaled Burhan, director of health services for the province of Salaheddin.
The minibusses collided shortly before midnight on Friday, killing 18 and injuring 15, a medical official in Salaheddin told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
According to witness testimony, one motorist fell unconscious at the wheel.
According to an anonymous hospital official, 14 Iranians, two Afghans, and two unidentified people died.
Two drivers were among the deceased, according to a representative of the local traffic authority.
This official also reported a driver falling asleep and that one minibus entered the opposing lane.
INA initially reported 16 fatalities and 13 injuries, stating that those slain were Shia Muslim pilgrims from Iran.
A health official reported last year on September 11 that 11 Iranian Shia pilgrims and their Iraqi driver were killed when their minibus collided with a truck in Babil province, south of Baghdad.
Every year, millions of Shia pilgrims, primarily from Iran, visit Karbala for Arbaeen, one of the world’s greatest religious gatherings.
Arbaeen symbolizes the end of the 40 days of mourning for Imam Hussain’s martyrdom.
Since Arbaeen began this year, more than 2.6 million pilgrims have flown into Iraq or traversed its land borders, according to figures released by Iraq’s interior ministry on Friday.
Accidents on the road are a common occurrence during Arbaeen, which concludes on September 6-7 this year.
Four vehicle accidents killed 20 and injured scores on Monday and Tuesday, mostly Iranian pilgrims.
These incidents occurred near the Iranian frontier in the southern provinces of Wassit and Dhi Qar.
The infrastructure of oil-rich Iraq, including its highways and bridges, is in disrepair due to war, neglect, and pervasive corruption.
Officials assert that speed, cell phone use, and impaired driving also contribute to collisions.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, more than 4,900 individuals perished in road incidents in Iraq in 2012, or an average of thirteen per day.
