At least 21 people lost their lives and dozens were injured after a coach overturned in southern Iran on Saturday, according to state media reports. The accident happened near the town of Kavar, around
1,000 kilometres south of the capital, Tehran.
Masoud Abed, head of the emergency organisation in Fars province, said 34 others were injured in the crash, which took place south of Shiraz, the provincial capital.
Abed confirmed that the incident occurred at 11:05 a.m. local time, and rescue forces were immediately present at the scene.
He stated that rescue efforts are still underway and that more details, including the final number of casualties, will be shared once the operation is finished and a thorough investigation has been completed.
Kavar Hospital director Mohsen Afrasiabi told state television, “Unfortunately, 21 deaths have been recorded.” He added that many of the injured had been taken to hospital for treatment.
Images shared by Iranian media showed the bus lying on its side along a mountain road. The cause of the accident has not yet been confirmed and is currently under investigation.
At least 21 people were killed and 34 injured when a passenger bus overturned on the Firouzabad–Kavar road in Fars province, emergency officials said on Saturday.
The crash occurred around 11 a.m. local times about five kilometers outside Kavar, southeast of the city of Shiraz.… pic.twitter.com/7iDkjFnRqm
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) July 19, 2025
Iran has one of the highest rates of road traffic deaths in the world. According to official figures, nearly 17,000 people are killed every year in traffic-related accidents. Experts say the high numbers are often due to poor road conditions, ageing vehicles, lack of driver discipline, and weak emergency response systems.
(With inputs from agencies)
