Eko Hot Blog reports a road accident in northern Iraq has killed at least 16 people, mostly Shia Iranian pilgrims, as millions of people converge on the holy city of Karbala for Arbaeen, one of the world’s biggest religious gatherings.
The accident occurred between the cities of Dujail and Samarra on Friday night. Two minibuses crashed into each other, killing 16 people and injuring 13. Most of the dead were visitors from Iran.
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The cause of the accident is not yet known, but a medical official said that one of the drivers is believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel.
Arbaeen is a major religious event for Shia Muslims, who commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. This year, an estimated 2.6 million pilgrims have traveled to Iraq for the event.
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Road accidents are a major problem in Iraq. Last year, more than 4,900 people were killed in road accidents, an average of 13 per day. The poor condition of Iraq’s roads and infrastructure, as well as reckless driving, are major factors contributing to the high number of road deaths.
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