Road accident kills 15 in Iran

Tehran: A crash involving several cars in central Iran has killed 15 people, including 11 Afghans, on a road often used by illegal migrants crossing from neighboring Afghanistan.

It is reported that at least four cars hit one another in the pile-up near the town of Naeen, about 350 kilometers (220 miles) southeast of Tehran.

Eight Iranians and two Afghans were also injured. Furthermore three of the cars burst into flames after the crash.

Iran has one of the world’s worst traffic safety records, with more than 400,000 accidents and about 20,000 deaths on its roads every year.

The high death tolls are blamed on speeding, unsafe vehicles, widespread disregard of traffic laws and inadequate emergency services.