Iraq road accident kills 16, mostly Iranian pilgrims

At least 16 people, mostly Iranian pilgrims, were killed in a deadly road accident in northern Iraq, according to local health authorities on Saturday. Thirteen other people were seriously injured in the accident, Khaled Burhan, director of health services in Salaheddin province, told the state news agency INA. He said the accident took place when two minibuses crashed into each other on a highway between the cities of Dujail and Samarra shortly before midnight on Friday. Read also: Iraq-Iran barter likely in violation of US sanctions Thousands of Iranian pilgrims visit Iraq every year for Arbaeen, a major religious gathering for Shia Muslims. The Arbaeen takes place 40 days after Ashura, the day famous for the tragic event of Karbala. Around 4,900 people were killed in road accidents in Iraq in 2022 due to poor transport infrastructure and non-compliance to road safety regulations by drivers, according to Iraqi estimates.