Bus overturns in Iran's Markazi province, killing 11, injuring 24

The accident occurred on the Saveh-Hamedan freeway in Iran's central Markazi province, according to state television reports. Traffic police in the province cited driver fatigue and drowsiness as the primary causes of the crash. The bus's intended destination was not immediately disclosed by authorities.

The incident adds to Iran's mounting road safety crisis. The country experiences more than 17,000 traffic-related deaths annually, among the highest rates globally. Safety experts attribute the toll to multiple factors including the prevalence of poorly maintained vehicles, widespread non-compliance with traffic regulations, and insufficient emergency response infrastructure.

This latest accident comes weeks after another major road disaster in western Iran. A fuel tanker collided with multiple vehicles near the city of Sanandaj earlier this month, resulting in an explosion that killed 11 people and wounded seven others. The succession of high-fatality incidents has renewed focus on Iran's deteriorating road safety standards.