Kerman, AUG 8: At least 30 passengers were injured after a train derailed in southern Iran on Friday morning. The accident occurred on the Kerman–Zarand railway line, prompting a swift emergency response that ensured the safe evacuation of all onboard.
The derailment took place in Iran’s Kerman province, according to Babak Mahmoudi, head of the Red Crescent Society’s Relief and Rescue Organization. He confirmed to Mehr news agency that 30 people sustained injuries during the incident.
The Iranian national railway’s public relations office told Tasnim news agency that all passengers were safely removed from the train thanks to the quick arrival of railway technicians and emergency teams.
Iran’s track record with train accidents
While fatal train crashes in Iran are relatively rare, derailments and technical issues have been a recurring concern. In June 2022, a tragic derailment near the city of Tabas killed 21 people after a train struck an excavator.
An even deadlier incident occurred in 2016 when two trains collided and caught fire in northern Iran, resulting in 44 deaths and dozens of injuries.
Friday’s derailment in Kerman did not result in fatalities, but it serves as another reminder of the challenges facing Iran’s aging railway infrastructure.
Emergency response prevented greater harm
Authorities emphasized that timely intervention helped prevent a more serious outcome. Rescue teams and railway engineers acted quickly to stabilize the situation and assist injured passengers.
As of now, investigations into the cause of the derailment are ongoing. No official reason has been cited, and further updates are expected from Iran’s railway authorities.
