Iraqi Islamic Dawa Party offers condolences after Basra road crash kills pilgrims

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Islamic Dawa Party issued a condolence message after a traffic accident on a road leading to Basra killed several pilgrims walking toward Karbala, the party said in a written statement. The victims had set out to visit Imam Hussein as part of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, according to the party. The statement expressed condolences to the families of the dead, their relatives and the people of Basra. The Dawa Party called on security forces deployed along the route to regulate vehicular and pedestrian traffic to prevent similar accidents. Pilgrims were urged to follow safety instructions issued for their movement and walking along the route. The party said measures should be taken to ensure similar tragedies are not repeated. No further details on casualties or the investigation were immediately available.