A devastating fuel tanker crash in western Iran has killed 11 people and injured seven others after the vehicle reportedly suffered a brake failure, collided with several cars and burst into flames.

The deadly accident happened late Saturday near a traffic police station close to Sanandaj, a Kurdish city located roughly 400 kilometers (248 miles) west of Tehran, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA and reports from The Associated Press.

Tanker Crashed Before Bursting Into Flames
According to IRNA, the tanker was traveling when a suspected malfunction in its braking system caused the driver to lose control.

The vehicle struck other cars before catching fire near the traffic police station. The resulting explosion caused multiple fatalities and left seven people injured.

The injured victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Authorities are continuing to assess the circumstances surrounding the crash, while the reported brake failure remains a key factor cited in initial accounts of the accident.

11 People Killed in the Fiery Crash
The death toll was reported at 11, with seven additional people injured.

The accident occurred in an area where a similar tragedy had happened years earlier. In 2018, a fuel tanker collided with an intercity passenger bus near Sanandaj, killing 15 people and injuring four.

The latest crash has once again highlighted the dangers posed by fuel transportation on Iran’s roads.

Iran records more than 17,000 road deaths each year, with experts pointing to vehicle safety problems, traffic violations and weaknesses in emergency services as factors contributing to the country’s high road fatality rate.

Investigation Continues
The exact sequence of events leading to the tanker’s loss of control and subsequent explosion remains under investigation.

Authorities are expected to examine the tanker’s mechanical condition and the circumstances surrounding the reported brake failure as they work to establish what caused the deadly crash.

For the families of those killed, the incident has left behind another devastating reminder of how quickly a routine journey can turn into a deadly disaster.

Course: NY Post