At least 44 people have died after two intercity buses in Iran collided and burst into flames.

State TV said the accident happened when one of the buses, which had a flat tyre, swerved into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with the other bus. Both buses caught fire.

Casualties were taken to hospital in the city of Qom, about 80 miles south of the capital Tehran.

Iran has one of the worst road safety records in the world. Statistics say 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.

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