21 killed as passenger bus catches fire after crashing in Iraq

At least 21 people were killed and 19 others injured after a passenger bus overturned and burst into flames on a highway in southern Iraq.

The deadly accident took place near the city of Nasiriyah when the bus reportedly lost control while travelling along a busy roadway on Sunday (June 8), according to local officials.

Witnesses and emergency responders said the vehicle veered off the road and overturned before catching fire. The blaze spread rapidly through the bus, trapping many passengers inside and leaving little time for escape.

The intensity of the fire turned the vehicle into a charred wreck within minutes, with many of the victims believed to have died from severe burns, officials said.

Emergency teams and security personnel rushed to the scene following the crash and transported the injured to nearby hospitals. Hospital authorities confirmed that the bodies of 21 victims had been recovered and transferred to the morgue.

Medical officials warned that the death toll could rise further as several of the 19 injured passengers remain in critical condition.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, though preliminary reports suggest the driver may have lost control of the vehicle before it left the roadway.

In response to the tragedy, the Iraqi Prime Minister ordered the formation of a high-level investigation committee to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident and identify any potential negligence.