A tragic bus accident in northwestern Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of at least 79 individuals, including 19 children. The incident occurred on the night of July 7, 2025, as the victims were returning from Iran, according to Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry. The collision involved a bus, a truck, and a motorbike, leading to a massive fire that engulfed the vehicles, causing many fatalities at the scene.
The crash took place in Herat Province, a region that has seen its share of traffic-related tragedies due to poor road conditions and driver negligence. Qani confirmed that in addition to the fatalities, two people sustained injuries in the incident. Local news outlet Tolo News reported on the details, highlighting the severity of the crash and the immediate consequences for those involved.
Traffic accidents are alarmingly common in Afghanistan, where infrastructure challenges and a lack of stringent safety regulations contribute to frequent incidents. As the country grapples with these issues, the recent crash underscores the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
The bus crash is set against a backdrop of increasing migration and deportation of Afghan nationals. In recent months, nearly 1.8 million Afghans have been forcibly returned from Iran, with an additional 184,459 sent back from Pakistan and over 5,000 deported from Turkey since the beginning of 2025. The Taliban government has criticized these mass expulsions, particularly from neighboring countries, which cite illegal residency as the reason for deportations.
The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in Afghanistan has reported that approximately six million Afghan refugees remain outside the country, a situation that complicates the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by Afghan citizens. In July, the Taliban expressed their concerns over the treatment of Afghan nationals in other countries, emphasizing the need for more humane policies regarding deportation and refugee status.
As Afghanistan continues to navigate the complex realities of its socio-political landscape, incidents like the recent bus crash highlight the urgent need for both improved internal safety measures and international cooperation to address the plight of Afghan citizens both at home and abroad.
