A major road accident in western Afghanistan has claimed the lives of at least 78 people. The crash took place late Tuesday night in Herat’s Guzara district.
A passenger bus, carrying Afghan migrants deported from Iran, collided with a truck and a motorcycle. The bus caught fire after the collision, leaving no survivors on board.
Officials confirmed that 17 children were among the dead. Two other people in the truck and motorcycle also died in the accident.
The migrants had reportedly boarded the Kabul-bound bus in Islam Qala, a border town near Iran. They were recently expelled from Iran and were traveling to their hometowns across Afghanistan.
Authorities blamed the deadly crash on speeding and careless driving. The bus driver lost control, leading to the triple-vehicle collision.
This incident comes at a time when Afghanistan is facing a rising number of deported migrants. According to the UN Refugee Agency, more than 1.5 million Afghans have been expelled from Iran since January.
Iran has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for years. However, the country has now increased deportations, citing internal security concerns. Officials in Iran recently announced plans to expel 800,000 more Afghan nationals by March.
The sudden return of so many people is putting pressure on Afghanistan’s limited resources. Aid agencies say the country is already dealing with high poverty, unemployment, and reduced international support.
Traffic accidents remain a serious issue across Afghanistan. War-damaged roads, poor traffic laws, and untrained drivers often result in deadly crashes.
Tuesday’s accident is one of the worst in recent years. It highlights the dangers faced by deported migrants trying to rebuild their lives in a country still struggling with basic infrastructure and services.
Authorities continue to investigate the accident. Funeral arrangements for the victims are underway in Herat.
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