Fatal Truck Accident Claims Lives of Afghan Refugees Returning from Pakistan

A tragic accident in eastern Afghanistan involved a truck carrying Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan, resulting in 22 fatalities. The crash occurred due to the driver falling asleep, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by returning migrants amidst regional deportation pressures.

A tragic accident occurred in eastern Afghanistan when a truck transporting Afghan refugees from Pakistan overturned, claiming at least 22 lives and injuring about 36 individuals, primarily women and children. Officials confirmed these figures on Saturday.

The incident took place in Laghman province, along the main highway connecting Kabul to Nangarhar province. According to spokesman Abdul Malik Niazai, 10 children and five women were among the deceased, with injured passengers receiving medical attention in Nangarhar.

Aminullah Sharif, the provincial public health director, attributed the accident to the driver falling asleep, causing the vehicle to plunge into a ditch. The refugee passengers were part of thousands compelled to leave Pakistan following a 2023 migrant crackdown.

Meanwhile, a separate accident in Nuristan province involved another vehicle falling into a river, leaving four passengers missing. These incidents underscore the perilous travel conditions in Afghanistan, where road maintenance and traffic law enforcement are lacking.