2 days ago
At Least 71 Killed In Afghanistan Bus Crash Involving Deported Migrants From Iran
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Initial investigations suggest that the crash was caused by the bus's 'excessive speed and negligence.'
A devastating road accident in Afghanistan's western Herat province has claimed the lives of at least 71 people, with more injuries expected, according to a report by Reuters. The incident occurred on Tuesday when a passenger bus collided with a truck and a motorcycle on a major highway, local police confirmed.
Authorities revealed that the bus was carrying recently deported Afghan migrants returning from Iran and was en route to the capital, Kabul. The migration follows a broader wave of deportations, as large numbers of Afghans have been forced out of Iran in recent months due to tightening border controls and immigration crackdowns.
Initial investigations suggest that the crash was caused by the bus's 'excessive speed and negligence," though a full inquiry is still underway.
Provincial government spokesman Ahmadullah Muttaqi shared footage of the tragic scene on X (formerly Twitter), showing the bus engulfed in flames. In his Arabic-language caption, he wrote, 'Firefighters arrived quickly at the scene, but unfortunately, they were unable to save the victims." Emergency responders could be seen battling the intense fire that followed the collision. He added, 'We will share the identities of the victims and the name of the province shortly."
د اطفايې مسؤلين په ډير ليږ وخت کي د حادثی ځای ته ورسيدل خو متاسفانه په ژغورلو ونه توانيدل — Ahmadullah Muttaqi | احمدالله متقي (@Ahmadmuttaqi01) August 19, 2025
An AFP report added further details, stating that the majority of those killed were passengers on the bus. In addition, two individuals in the truck and two on the motorcycle also lost their lives.
According to Afghan authorities, more than 1.5 million Afghans have returned to the country from Iran and Pakistan since the beginning of this year. Many of them had fled Afghanistan over the past few decades to escape conflict and humanitarian crises.
Further details on the accident are expected as the investigation continues.
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