Refugee Truck From Pakistan Crashes In Afghanistan, Killing 22 People Instantly
22 killed after refugee truck overturns in Afghanistan crash.
At least 22 people were killed and around 36 others injured after a truck carrying Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan overturned on a highway in eastern Afghanistan, officials said on Saturday. The vehicle reportedly lost control on a major route connecting Kabul to Nangarhar province, resulting in a deadly crash that disproportionately affected women and children on board.
According to provincial authorities, the accident occurred in Laghman province when the truck veered off the road and fell into a ditch. Officials said the driver is believed to have fallen asleep while driving, leading to the loss of control. The injured passengers were immediately transported to hospitals in nearby Nangarhar province for treatment.
Local officials confirmed that among the dead were at least 10 children and five women, highlighting the severity of the incident. The provincial public health department said the final toll stood at 22 fatalities, while emergency medical teams continued to treat the injured, many of whom remain in critical condition.
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The passengers were part of a larger wave of Afghan nationals returning from Pakistan, which has intensified deportations and pressure on undocumented migrants since 2023. Many of those returning have spent years or even decades in Pakistan, including individuals born there, as both Pakistan and Iran have increased expulsions of Afghan migrants in recent years.
In a separate incident the same week, another road accident in Nuristan province left multiple people missing after a car plunged into a river. Rescue teams have been deployed to search for the missing passengers, underscoring the ongoing risks posed by Afghanistan’s challenging road conditions and limited infrastructure.
Road accidents remain frequent across Afghanistan due to poor road maintenance, mountainous terrain, and widespread non-compliance with traffic regulations. Authorities have repeatedly warned about driver fatigue and unsafe travel conditions, particularly on long interprovincial highways that connect major population centres.
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