At least 10 people were killed and six others injured when a fuel tanker exploded after a road crash on Iran’s Hamedan-Sanandaj highway on Saturday, according to Iranian national broadcaster IRIB and the governor of Sanandaj.
The governor said the crash was caused by a technical fault in the tanker’s braking system. The casualty figures were based on initial reports.
Fire brought under control
Local officials said the fire caused by the explosion was brought under control immediately. They did not provide details about the identities of those killed.
Tanker crashes remain a recurring hazard
The incident adds to a history of deadly tanker and bus collisions in Iran, where poor road conditions, ageing vehicle fleets and heavy freight traffic have contributed to recurring accidents. For additional context, see “Four killed and 68 injured in Iran wedding blast”.
UNICEF has said Iran’s traffic-crash rate is 20 times the global average. A May 2017 report by Tehran-based newspaper Financial Tribune said more than 20,000 people were killed and 800,000 injured annually in road accidents in Iran.
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