Azernews.Az

BAKU – One of the four Azerbaijani pilgrims injured in an explosion in Iraq has died, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said.

Another pilgrim who received a leg injury was rushed to a hospital in Baghdad and underwent a surgery, but is in grave condition. The other two injured Azerbaijani nationals are said to be in a stable condition.

Reports said that the pilgrim who passed away, 32-year-old Intigam Humbatov, was a resident of Nardaran, a stronghold of Islamic tradition about 40 km north of Baku, and had headed a group of Azerbaijani pilgrims who left for Karbala last week.

A total of 35 people are said to have ridden the bus.

The Caucasus Muslims Office, Azerbaijan’s senior clerical body, said it does not organize trips to Iraq since security there is not guaranteed. The pilgrims’ trip to the country was arranged by a travel agency.

The bus carrying the pilgrims reportedly hit a mine in the Iraqi Diyala province. Though Iranian media previously reported that six Azerbaijanis had been injured in the blast, Azerbaijan’s embassy later said their number was four. Also, it was ascertained that the explosion occurred not on the bus the pilgrims were riding, but on a Hyundai vehicle that was following it.

Elman Abdullayev, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, said those killed and injured in the explosion were in that car, while the Azerbaijani pilgrims riding the bus had reached Karbala safe and sound.

The ministry earlier advised Azerbaijani nationals to refrain from visiting Iraq.