Sanandaj tanker explosion kills 11 in Iran

A fuel tanker explosion near Sanandaj in western Iran has resulted in at least 11 deaths and seven injuries. The accident occurred on the highway connecting Sanandaj with Hamedan, near a police checkpoint.

Security footage captured the incident, showing the heavy vehicle traveling at high speed before losing control, striking several cars and a cargo truck, and overturning. The collision triggered a massive fireball that engulfed the area. While a sudden brake failure has been suggested as a possible cause, local traffic police official Ahmad Karmiasad stated that the exact cause remains under investigation.

The intensity of the fire reportedly made it difficult for emergency responders to identify some of the victims. The seven injured individuals were transported to a medical center in Sanandaj. In response to the tragedy, the Kurdistan provincial government has declared two days of official mourning.