Deadly traffic accident in Afghanistan; death toll reaches 79

By Benyamin Bariz, HERAT CITY (Pajhwok), Aug 20: At least 79 people—most of them recently returned refugees from Iran—have died, and three others were injured in a traffic accident in western Herat province, local officials said Wednesday.

Mufti Mohammad Yusuf Saeedi, spokesman for the Herat governor, said a 580-model passenger bus travelling from Islam Qala towards Kabul collided with a motorcycle and a Mazda lorry on the ring road, before catching fire.

He said the victims included elderly people, women, children, the bus driver, the motorcyclist and the Mazda driver. Three others were seriously injured.

Saeedi added that, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Defence and the 207 Al-Farooq Army Corps, all the bodies had been transferred to the corps’ mortuary, with preparations made for their burial and transfer to Kabul province.

He said the Herat administration, while expressing deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, confirmed that rescue teams and medical staff had reached the site immediately and the injured were swiftly taken to local hospitals.

He added that among the casualties of this accident, 76 were migrants who had recently returned from Iran to the country.

The provincial administration urged all drivers to exercise utmost caution and strictly observe traffic regulations to prevent such tragedies.