At least 35 Pakistani pilgrims were killed and 15 injured in a bus accident in Iranian city of Yazd.

The accident took place late on Tuesday and was caused by a technical defect in the bus braking system, according to preliminary investigations made by the Iranian traffic police, Reuters reported.

Most of the passengers were from Larkana, Ghotki and other cities in Sindh, as per Radio Pakistan.

The injured have been shifted to near-by hospital.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his grief over the accident, and directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to repatriate the dead, and provide timely aid to the injured.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives at a bus accident of Pakistan Zaireen near Yazd in Iran.

“My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. I have directed our Mission in Tehran to extend all possible assistance to the affected families,” he wrote in a post on X.

Moreover, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also took to social media X and said he was gravely concerned for the welfare of those injured in the accident.

“I have given instructions to our Ambassador in Tehran to ascertain exact situation and provide swift medical relief and recovery services as well as arrange repatriation of dead bodies to Pakistan,” he said.

The foreign ministry also issued a statement expressing condolences and sympathies to the families of Pakistani pilgrims who lost their lives in the tragic accident.

“At the instructions of the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, the Consul of Pakistan in Zahidan has been tasked with the responsibility of reaching the site of the accident and ascertain the situation on ground.

“They will also coordinate with local authorities to provide medical relief to the injured and arrange repatriation of dead bodies to Pakistan, most of whom are residents of the Sindh province,” the statement read.

The foreign ministry said it has activated its Crisis Management Unit to provide support to these efforts and facilitate the repatriation of the dead bodies.