20 fatalities, 11 survivors back to Iran

CEBU, Philippines - The remains of the 20 Iranians, who died in a bus accident in Balamban, Cebu were already brought to Iran yesterday along with 11 survivors who chose to go back to their hometown to recover from the tragic accident.

Some survivors swore to never come back because of the traumatic experience.

The send off became more emotional when fellow Iranians arrived at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to bid their departed friends goodbye before their remains were loaded to Iran Air Boeing 747, the chartered plane commissioned by the Iranian government to bring the bodies back to their country.

The remains were sealed in wooden caskets and convoyed to the airport yesterday dawn.

At the airport, loading of the remains were delayed because the customs bureau had to thoroughly inspect the plane, the cargoes and the documents for compliance with security. A ritual or a ceremonial prayer was also held by Iranian priests.

The loading of remains were completed around 11:15 a.m. The plane took off at 12:03 in the afternoon. They are expected to arrive at the airport in Tehran, Iran after 10 hours of travel.

According to the Iranian historical and cultural affairs, once the remains arrive in Iran, it will be washed which symbolizes cleansing, and will be wrapped in a white cloth before burying.

Iran Ambassador to the Philippines Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani assured that the acccident, which could be considered the biggest ever encountered by Iranians abroad, will not affect their relationship with the Philippine government.

He said they believe the falling of JD tourist bus into a ravine off the Transcentral Highway in Balamban was purely an accident that no one is to be blamed. They will continue to send their children here to study.

But Bajar Hibatchi, mother of Moyed Jahani, who were among the casualties, said she will never come back here because of the painful experience.

Her whole family joined the trip that turned into tragedy last June 13. Hibatchi, her husband and Moyed’s twin brother, Sajid Jahani fortunately survived.

Sajid was saved by the Hibatchi family’s Filipina nanny, who is also a survivor, Luzviminda Yap.

Another survivor, Ali Chavaroshi, is now doubtful if he can come back to the Philippines. Chavaroshi was the last survivor rescued. His closest friend died, which he said is even more painful than the injury he got. Even the mention of Cebu and Philippines brings back the painful memories, he added.

“I don’t know if I can come back here. What happened was a disaster. A close friend of mine died,” he said.

Rouzbehani thanked government officials in Cebu for treating well their Iranian brothers and for all the assistance that have been provided starting from the rescue operation, medication of survivors, the burial services until the remains of the casualties were finally brought to Iran yesterday.

The management of the MCIA has granted the Iranian Embassy free parking of their plane at the airport for almost 24 hours. According to the policy, planes are only given a two-hour free parking and the airline must pay the succeeding hours.

MCIA General Manager Danilo Francia said that it cost the MCIA more than 100,000 US dollars for the plane’s landing, parking and take-off but they do not mind as long as they are able to assist the Iranian government especially the victims. The Philippine Airlines likewise took care of the refueling.

Cebu City Mayor-elect Michael Rama assured ambassador Rouzbehani that someone will definitely be held liable for the incident.

Though the Iranian Embassy already said that they will not send investigators to dig deeper into the cause of the accident, Rama said he will order for the continuation of the investigation.

Rama wants the video and digital cameras of the victims to be recovered to help in the investigation. — THE FREEMAN