At least 22 Afghan refugees lost their lives and 36 others were injured when a truck transporting them back from Pakistan plunged into a ravine in eastern Afghanistan’s Laghman province on Saturday. The accident occurred along a major highway connecting Kabul to Nangarhar province.
Provincial governor spokesman Abdul Malik Niazi explained that the vehicle veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge. Among the deceased were 10 children and five women. The injured were promptly taken to hospitals across various districts in Nangarhar for treatment.
In a significant development, Aminullah Sharif, head of the provincial health department, confirmed these casualty numbers. Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver likely fell asleep while driving, which caused the fatal crash.
The passengers were part of a larger wave of Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan amid intensified efforts to crack down on undocumented migrants. Throughout 2023, Pakistan has conducted campaigns targeting illegal foreigners, leading many Afghan nationals to either leave voluntarily or be repatriated. Similarly, Iran has increased deportations of Afghan refugees during this period.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident late Friday in eastern Nuristan province, a vehicle skidded off the road and plunged into a river. The driver sustained injuries, while four passengers remain missing. Rescue teams are actively searching for the missing individuals.
