ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi authorities on Tuesday announced that 65 traffic accidents had been recorded on roads leading to Karbala, just days after a deadly highway crash in southern Iraq killed 21 pilgrims, renewing calls for stricter traffic enforcement and the adoption of the Kurdistan Region's road safety measures to curb speeding and reduce fatalities.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Miqdad Miri said during a press conference that 65 traffic accidents had been recorded, all on roads leading to Karbala province. The ministry said on Monday that the accidents occurred on major routes used by Shiite pilgrims traveling to the holy city, including the Najaf-Karbala, Babylon-Karbala, and Baghdad-Karbala highways.
The announcement came as officials continue investigating the al-Batha'a tragedy in Dhi Qar province, where a bus carrying pilgrims overturned and caught fire on Sunday, leaving 21 people dead and 19 others injured.
Officials and residents in Dhi Qar have warned that improvements in road infrastructure or traffic monitoring systems have not kept up with the rapid increase in the number of vehicles.
Local authorities describe several highways in the province as "roads of death" due to the frequency of fatal crashes. Survivors and officials cited speeding, driver fatigue, poor road conditions, potholes, and inadequate traffic signage as major factors behind many of the accidents.
Haider Saadi, an advisor to the Dhi Qar governor, called for the activation of camera systems and increased traffic patrols on highways. He pointed to the Kurdistan Region's experience with speed-monitoring systems and stricter enforcement measures, stating their effectiveness in reducing traffic violations and improving road safety.
Traffic accidents remain a persistent challenge across Iraq, with officials frequently citing speeding, deteriorating infrastructure, and vehicle safety issues as key contributors to the country's high rate of road fatalities.
