Fiery Bus Crash Kills at Least 21

At least 21 people were killed and 19 others injured Sunday after a passenger bus overturned and erupted into flames near the southern Iraqi city of Nassiriya, officials said.

The horror crash unfolded on a highway outside the city when the driver reportedly lost control of the bus, causing it to flip over before bursting into fire, according to police and health officials.

The scene quickly turned deadly as victims were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to hospitals. Officials said 21 people were confirmed dead either at the crash site or later at medical facilities.

Nineteen others were wounded, with many suffering severe burns. Health officials said most of the injured remained in critical condition.

Authorities have not yet determined what caused the driver to lose control. Police said the crash remains under investigation.

Iraq’s prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, ordered an investigation into the deadly accident and directed officials to submit a full report on what happened.

The devastating crash is the latest tragedy on Iraq’s dangerous roads, where deadly accidents are common. Speeding, poor road conditions and weak enforcement of traffic laws have long contributed to high fatality rates across the country.

Sunday’s disaster left families grieving and investigators searching for answers after what began as a routine bus trip ended in flames.