Tragic Highway Accident Claims 18 Afghan Refugee Lives in Laghman

A vehicle transporting Afghan refugees overturned in eastern Afghanistan's Laghman province, resulting in 18 fatalities and 35 injuries, predominantly among women and children. The refugees were returning from Pakistan amid a crackdown on undocumented migrants. Taliban officials expressed condolences to affected families.

An accident involving a truck carrying Afghan refugees recently returned from Pakistan resulted in the loss of 18 lives and injuries to 35 others on a busy highway in eastern Afghanistan's Laghman province.

The vehicle was part of a significant movement of migrants back to Afghanistan following Pakistan's stringent actions against undocumented individuals. Among the deceased were 10 children and five women, with victims moved to Nangarhar hospitals. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid extended condolences to the bereaved families.

The refugees had been living in Pakistan, often for decades, as Afghanistan grapples with inadequacies in road maintenance and traffic law enforcement, contributing to frequent accidents; Iran has also increased deportations of Afghan nationals, causing a surge in returns.