Islamabad, August 24, Hilal Ahmad, AZERTAC

Bodies of 28 Pakistani pilgrims, who died in a tragic road accident in Iran on their way to Iraq, were brought to the homeland in a special C-130 aircraft.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan on Saturday, the mortal remains of 28 Pakistani pilgrims who perished in a bus accident in Yazd, Iran, have arrived in Pakistan.

On arrival in Jacobabad city in the Sindh Province, the special plane was received by the Provincial Minister and other government functionaries. The special plane also carried 16 Pakistani nationals who were injured in the accident on 20 August 2024.

Prior to departure of the special plane for Pakistan, Iranian government officials paid their respects to the deceased at the Yazd Airport. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu and other senior officials of the embassy were present on the occasion

“We are grateful to the Iranian authorities for their full support and cooperation in the rescue and dignified repatriation of Pakistani nationals,” the statement added.

According to reports over 40 ambulances were present at Jacobabad Airport before the arrival of the special flight. Later, the injured pilgrims were shifted to hospitals in their respective districts and the severely wounded pilgrims were sent to Karachi by an air ambulance. The dead bodies of the killed pilgrims were handed over to their legal heirs.