Bus carrying gas project workers overturns in western Iran, killing 12 and injuring 16

A bus carrying workers from a natural gas project overturned in western Iran on Saturday evening, and the death toll rose to 12 on Sunday, with 16 others injured. Iran's state news agency IRNA reported that the bus lost control and overturned at about 7:25 p.m. local time on the road between Abdanan and Dehloran in Ilam province, near the Iraqi border, while taking employees from Dasht Abbas to Murmuri. There were 28 people aboard, including 27 employees and the driver; all of the dead were staff of the NGL 3100 gas project near Dehloran.

Nine died at the scene; three more died in hospital

Local officials initially reported nine deaths; three more injured people later died in hospital, bringing the toll to 12 on Sunday. The 16 injured were taken to hospitals in Ilam, Dehloran, Dezful and Abdanan. Abdanan County Governor Behzad Noormohammadi said authorities sent 12 rescue teams with 32 personnel to the scene.

Cause under investigation; president orders inquiry

Abdanan prosecutor Amrullah Misai said an investigation has been opened into the cause of the crash, and reports say the president has also ordered an inquiry. The head of the Iran Gas Transmission Company called for immediate support for the families of the dead. No cause has been announced, and with some of the injured in serious condition, the death toll could still rise.

(File photo: Iranian Red Crescent personnel at the scene of a bus rollover. Image: Tasnim News Agency)