Story By: Lee Bullen,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Central European News
An Iranian lorry driver has been stranded in Poland after his 30-year-old vehicle broke down and the international embargo on Iran meant he could not buy a new lorry despite fundraising help from Polish driving groups.
According to Polish media, Iranian national Fardin Kazemi was transporting goods from Iran through Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic before arriving in Poland where his 30-year-old lorry broke down.
Stranded in Poland, local driver associations and individuals launched a fundraiser and quickly received 99,000 PLN (19,810 GBP) in less than a day, according to local media.
Reports said that Kazemi found a replacement vehicle to buy, but the seller pulled out due to the international embargo on his home country and the possibility of a steep fine.
The Iranian driver returned home to see his family and visit the Polish Embassy in Tehran to thank the people of Poland for the hospitality he experienced while stranded there.
His daughter also released a video where she said: “Dear people of Poland, we love you all very much. You were angels to my dad and saved him. We don’t have the words to thank you.”
On 7th January, Kazemi returned to Poland after finding a new lorry through his online helpers.
The president of Iran’s Driving Association, Khoy Ali Reza Ali Yari, said: “On behalf of the great people of Iran and the hard-working drivers of this city, we are very proud of all the wise and watchful citizens of Poland, as well as the hospitable drivers of the country and the drivers’ union, and we thank for the humanitarian assistance to our dear Iranian driver.”
He also mentioned the 500 years of friendly relations between the two countries and thanked the Poles who donated cash to the Iranian lorry driver’s campaign.
The following day, Polish organisers said on social media: “The semi-trailer has just been paid for. The seller added new tyres and rims.”
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