Tragic Bus Crash in Afghanistan Claims Lives of Dozens of Deportees from Iran

A tragic traffic accident in western Afghanistan has claimed the lives of 73 people, including 17 children. Most of the victims were on a bus transporting Afghan migrants back to Kabul after being deported from Iran. This incident, which occurred in Herat province, involved a collision between the bus, a truck, and a motorcycle. Ahmadullah Mottaqi, a Taliban official, confirmed that everyone on the bus perished, along with two individuals from the other vehicles.

In recent months, Iran has increased its deportations of undocumented Afghan migrants. Many of those on the bus had boarded it in Islam Qala, a town near the Afghanistan-Iran border. Authorities attribute the accident to the bus driver’s speeding and negligence. Traffic accidents are common in Afghanistan, where many roads are in disrepair and driving rules are loosely enforced.

Since the 1970s, millions of Afghans have fled their country, particularly during periods of conflict, such as the Soviet invasion in 1979 and the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. This ongoing exodus has resulted in a growing anti-Afghan sentiment in Iran, where refugees often face discrimination and hostility. In July, Iranian authorities set a deadline for undocumented Afghans to leave voluntarily. Following regional tensions, including a brief war with Israel, Iran has forcibly deported many Afghans, citing national security concerns.

The United Nations Refugee Agency reports that over 1.5 million Afghans have left Iran since January, with many having lived there for years. Experts warn that Afghanistan struggles to accommodate this influx. With the Taliban in power, the country’s resources are stretched thin. Arshad Malik, the country director for Save the Children Afghanistan, highlights the crisis: “The return of so many people adds immense pressure on already limited resources, especially as aid cuts deepen.”

The situation is dire. Families who have just returned often find themselves without support, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian aid and effective policies. The future remains uncertain for many Afghans, who are grappling with a challenging landscape both at home and abroad. For more about the current state of Afghan refugees, you can read reports from the UN Refugee Agency.

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