Truck Carrying Afghan Refugees Crashes in Eastern Afghanistan, Killing 18
The Story
A truck carrying Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan overturned on a highway in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday, killing at least 18 people and injuring 35 others, most of them women and children, officials said. The accident occurred in Laghman province on the main highway linking Kabul with Nangarhar province, according to a provincial spokesperson. The passengers were among thousands of Afghans who have recently returned from Pakistan amid that country’s crackdown on undocumented migrants since 2023.
Key Facts
- At least 18 people were killed and 35 injured when a truck carrying Afghan refugees overturned on a highway in eastern Afghanistan.
- Among the dead were 10 children and five women, according to Abdul Malik Niazai, spokesperson for the Laghman provincial governor.
- The injured were taken to hospitals in neighboring Nangarhar province for medical treatment.
- Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government spokesperson, expressed sorrow and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
- Traffic accidents are common in Afghanistan due to poorly maintained roads and drivers routinely ignoring traffic regulations.
- The passengers were part of a larger group of Afghans returning from Pakistan, which launched a crackdown on undocumented migrants in 2023. Iran also intensified expulsions of Afghan migrants around the same time.
- Millions of Afghans have returned home from the two countries, including many born in Pakistan who had spent decades living and working there.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Abdul Malik Niazai, spokesperson for the Laghman provincial governor
- Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban government
Sources: abcnews.com
