Iran says 44 killed as 2 buses collide

TEHRAN, Iran Iran's state TV says at least 44 people died when two intercity buses collided on a road south of the country's capital, Tehran.

The accident happened late on Monday when one of the buses swerved into the opposite lane due to a flat tire, colliding head-on with the other bus. Both buses caught fire.

The TV says 44 people were injured in the accident. They were taken to hospital in the city of Qom, about 80 miles south of Tehran.

Iran has one of the worst road safety records in the world. Statistics say that more than 20,000 people lose their lives in road accidents every year in the country.

The high toll is blamed on disregard of traffic rules, unsafe roads and poor emergency services.