ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least a dozen Iranian pilgrims were killed in two separate car accidents in Iraq’s Dhi Qar and Wasit provinces on Monday, local officials said.
Maysam al-Jabouri, a spokesperson for the Iraqi army in Dhi Qar province, told Rudaw that a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims collided with a truck. Seven pilgrims were killed and about 30 others were injured.
“Some of them are in serious condition, therefore the number of the dead could rise,” he added.
Millions of Shiite followers from around the world annually embark upon a journey towards Iraq’s holy city of Karbala, to attend the Arbaeen pilgrimage, a Shiite ritual marking the end of a 40-day mourning period for the death of the Shiite leader and grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein, in 680 AD.
Riyaz Ageli, head of Wait governor’s office’s media department, told Rudaw that a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims overturned in the province, resulting in the death of at least seven people and the injury of 16 others.
Some of the wounded are in serious condition.
Iran’s foreign ministry on Monday announced that 2.5 Iranian pilgrims have entered Iraq to attend the Arbaeen.
