A train derailment in southern Iran on Friday morning resulted in injuries to at least 30 passengers. The incident took place on the Kerman–Zarand railway line, where a swift emergency response was initiated to ensure the safe evacuation of all individuals on board.
Babak Mahmoudi, the head of the Red Crescent Society’s Relief and Rescue Organization, confirmed the accident occurred in Iran’s Kerman province. Speaking to Mehr news agency, he stated that 30 people were injured during the incident.
The public relations office of the Iranian national railway informed Tasnim news agency that all passengers were safely removed from the train, largely due to the rapid deployment of railway technicians and emergency teams.
A Look at Iran’s Railway Safety Record
While fatal train crashes are not common in Iran, the railway system has experienced recurring issues with derailments and technical failures. A notable incident occurred in June 2022 near the city of Tabas, where a train derailment killed 21 people after it collided with an excavator. A more tragic event took place in 2016, when a collision and fire involving two trains in northern Iran led to 44 fatalities and dozens of injuries.
The derailment in Kerman on Friday fortunately did not result in any deaths, but it serves as a fresh reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the country’s aging railway infrastructure.
Authorities credited the timely and coordinated response for preventing a more serious outcome. Rescue teams and railway engineers worked quickly to manage the situation and provide assistance to the injured. An investigation into the cause of the derailment is currently underway, with no official reason yet provided. Further updates are expected from Iranian railway authorities.
