20 Aug 2025 : In one of the deadliest road tragedies in recent years, more than 70 Afghans were killed when a passenger bus carrying migrants returning from Iran crashed in western Afghanistan. The incident occurred late Tuesday night on a mountainous highway in Herat province, a key route used by migrant workers crossing the border.
According to local authorities, the overcrowded bus lost control while navigating a sharp curve, veering off the road before overturning. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of devastation, with bodies scattered around the crash site and survivors trapped inside the mangled wreckage. Rescue teams rushed to the spot, but poor road conditions and the severity of the crash hampered operations.
Many of the passengers were Afghan migrants who had been working in Iran and were returning home due to economic hardships and tightened border regulations. Officials confirmed that several women and children were among the dead, while dozens of others sustained serious injuries.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has launched an investigation into the incident, citing reckless driving, vehicle overloading, and poor road safety measures as possible causes. Authorities have also urged transport companies to adhere to safety standards, as deadly road accidents remain alarmingly frequent in the country.
Local hospitals in Herat have appealed for blood donations as they struggle to treat the high number of casualties. Aid agencies have also stepped in to provide support for survivors and the families of the deceased.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to Afghanistan’s deteriorating road infrastructure, where decades of conflict, lack of regulation, and economic instability have contributed to frequent accidents with high death tolls.
Summary:
A passenger bus carrying Afghan migrants returning from Iran crashed in Herat province, killing over 70 people and injuring many others. Authorities blamed overloading and poor road safety for the devastating accident.