Mortal remains of Pakistani pilgrims in Iran bus tragedy repatriated

The mortal remains of the 28 Pakistani pilgrims who lost their lives in the unfortunate bus accident in neighbouring Iran's Yazd city have been repatriated via a special flight, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday. 

As many as 28 Pakistanis were killed when a bus carrying pilgrims participating in Arbaeen crashed into a wall and overturned due to speeding and brake failure near the Taftan-Dehshir checkpoint. Several others were injured as the vehicle caught fire after the accident.

A Pakistani C-130 aircraft carrying the bodies and 18 injured persons took off from Yezd airport at 6:00 pm Pakistani time and arrived at Shahbaz Airport, Jacobabad at 8.30 pm.

Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, officials, and several relatives of victims received the remains of the martyrs. 

The bodies will likely be handed over to the families and relatives tonight, the sources said.  The relatives of the deceased and injured were also present at Shehbaz Airbase in Jacobabad.

Special arrangements have been made for the dead and injured at Jacobabad Shahbaz Air Base. Ambulance and Air Ambulance have also been arranged at the Air Base.

The dead bodies will be sent to their native towns through ambulances while the injured will be referred to the hospitals for further treatment.

It is pertinent that the bus carrying Shiite pilgrims from Pakistan to Iraq crashed on Tuesday night in the central Iranian province of Yazd.

  Another 23 people suffered injuries in the crash that happened on their way to Iraq, with more than a dozen of the injured pilgrims in serious condition.

  Iranian authorities ensured that the bodies of the deceased pilgrims were sent off with full protocol.

 Before the departure, a solemn ceremony was held at Yezd Airport, where condolences were offered to the victims.

 The ceremony was attended by the Governor of Yezd, local officials, the Second Secretary of the Pakistani Embassy, and other diplomatic representatives.

 As a mark of respect, the soil from the shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.) was presented as a gift for the martyrs.

 The event also saw the presence of Pakistani pilgrims and members of the Pakistani community residing in Iran.