TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — An intercity bus plunged into a ravine in western Iran on Saturday after the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle, killing nine passengers, state media reported.
A state TV report said six of the nine victims were killed immediately at the site of the accident in the Pa-alam area on the road linking the towns of Andimeshk and Pol-e-Dokhtar. Three more died in nearby hospitals and another 14 passengers were injured.
The remote mountainous area is located some 450 kilometers (280 miles) southwest of the capital Tehran.
The official IRNA news agency said the passengers were soldiers who were traveling from the south to the west of the country. The bus was carrying 27 people.
Police believe the driver was speeding and lost control of the vehicle.
Iran has one of the world’s worst traffic safety records with some 17,000 deaths annually. The grave toll is blamed on widespread disregard for traffic laws, unsafe vehicles and inadequate emergency services in its vast rural areas.
In this photo released by Iranian Red Crescent Society, rescue workers and police officers work at the scene of a bus accident in Pa-alam some 280 miles (450 kilometers) southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Iranian Red Crescent Society, via AP)
In this photo provided by the Iranian Red Crescent Society, rescue workers and police officers work at the scene of a fatal bus accident in Pa-alam, Iran, some 280 miles (450 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Tehran, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. (Iranian Red Crescent Society via AP)
Borussia Dortmund reached the Champions League quarterfinals by beating Lille 2-1, overcoming an early deficit Wednesday to set up a final-eight matchup against Barcelona.
Last season's runner-up advanced 3-2 on aggregate after last week's 1-1 draw in the round-of-16 first leg in Germany.
Maximilian Beier's winner in the 65th minute came shortly after teammate Emre Can had equalized from the penalty spot. Can converted in the 54th after former Dortmund player Thomas Meunier took down Serhou Guirassy inside the area.
Lille, which has never reached the quarterfinals, led from the fifth minute when Canada forward Jonathan David’s shot went through the legs of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Later Wednesday, defending champion Real Madrid takes a one-goal advantage into Metropolitano Stadium against Atletico Madrid for the second leg of their last-16 tie.
The record 15-time European champion won the first leg 2-1 with a goal from Brahim Diaz to continue dominance of the Madrid derby on Europe’s biggest stage.
Arsenal is the likely opponent in the quarterfinals for the winner in Madrid.
Arsenal hosts PSV Eindhoven after a 7-1 victory in the first leg last week.
Another Premier League club, Aston Villa, has a comfortable two-goal cushion, ahead of the second leg against Club Brugge.
Atletico has been beaten in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals and eliminated by Real in the 2015 quarterfinals and 2017 semifinals.
Atletico has won only three of 11 meetings with their city rivals in UEFA competitions.
Madrid attacking aces, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, fine-tuned their form in La Liga by scoring goals in a five-minute span in the first half to beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 on Sunday and move level on points with Barcelona at the top of the Spanish league.
“We have the confidence to keep going in this special competition,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
Atletico failed to retake the league lead after conceding two late goals Sunday in a 2-1 loss at Getafe.
It is going to be the fourth Madrid derby this season after two 1-1 draws in La Liga.
PSV would have to break a record to prevent Arsenal from making the quarterfinals. No team has come back in an away tie from a bigger than two-goal deficit to advance.
In the five previous games in European competitions against Arsenal in London, PSV scored one goal in three losses and two draws.
Unai Emery was cautious despite a 3-1 away win as an own goal by Club Brugge defender Brandon Mechele eight minutes from time was a key to his team's win last week.
The goal came against the run of play as the Belgian side had enjoyed most of the possession and created the best chances in the second half. Villa substitute Marco Asensio finished off the victory with a late penalty.
“Nothing changes,” Emery said. “We won there but we won in the last minutes with two actions that we had.”
The Villains are unbeaten 15 matches in all competitions at Villa Park.
The winner of the tie will play Paris Saint-Germain next.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Lille's Jonathan David celebrates after scoring during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Lille and Borussia Dortmund in Villeneuve-d'Ascq , Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Lille's Jonathan David celebrates after scoring during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Lille and Borussia Dortmund in Villeneuve-d'Ascq , Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Dortmund's Emre Can scores from a penalty kick during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Lille and Borussia Dortmund in Villeneuve-d'Ascq , Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Dortmund's Maximilian Beier scores during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Lille and Borussia Dortmund in Villeneuve-d'Ascq , Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Dortmund's Maximilian Beier celebrates after scoring during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between Lille and Borussia Dortmund in Villeneuve-d'Ascq , Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Lille's Hakon Arnar Haraldsson scores his side's first goal during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer, between Borussia Dortmund and Lille at the Signa-Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen speaks during a press conference at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Tuesday March 11, 2025, one day ahead of their Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match against Aston Villa. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaks during a press conference at Bodymoor Heath Training Ground, Birmingham, England, Tuesday March 11, 2025, one day ahead of their Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match against Brugge. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard scores his side's sixth goal during the Champions League, round of 16, first leg soccer match between PSV and Arsenal at the Phillips Stadium in Eindhoven, Netherlands, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the Bernebeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, left, makes a save in front Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, center, during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at the Bernebeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
