Post by : Rameen Ariff

Photo : AFP

A deadly bus crash in Afghanistan has taken the lives of at least 79 people, including 19 children. The accident happened on Tuesday night in Herat province, near the border with Iran. Officials said the bus was carrying Afghan people who had recently returned from Iran.

According to Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani, the bus crashed around 8:30 p.m. when it collided with a truck and a motorbike. The crash caused a massive fire that quickly spread, killing many passengers instantly. Only two people were reported injured, but the death toll is extremely high.

A Tragedy Linked to Forced Returns

Over the past year, millions of Afghans have been forced to leave Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey. Reports say nearly 1.8 million Afghans were sent back from Iran in the past few months. Another 184,459 were returned from Pakistan, and more than 5,000 from Turkey. In addition, nearly 10,000 Afghan prisoners were sent back, mostly from Pakistan.

This has created a very difficult situation for many Afghan families. With limited jobs, weak infrastructure, and ongoing poverty, the sudden return of so many people has made life even harder. Many of them have no safe way to travel, which increases the risk of accidents like this one.

Reactions to the Crash

The Taliban government has already criticized neighboring countries for expelling Afghan refugees. They argue that millions of Afghans are still living outside the country because of war, poverty, and instability. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation estimates that about 6 million Afghan refugees remain abroad.

Humanitarian groups have also reacted strongly. Advocacy group Save the Children warned that forced returns, especially of children, can lead to further harm. Samira Sayed Rahman, a spokesperson for the group, said:

"This horrific tragedy is a stark reminder of the deadly risks hundreds of thousands of Afghan children face on their journeys from Iran."

A Wider Problem of Road Safety

Traffic accidents are common in Afghanistan. Experts say the main reasons are poor road conditions, old vehicles, and careless driving. Emergency services are also limited, which means many victims die before they can be rescued.

This tragic crash shows how unsafe travel can be in the country. With so many people returning from abroad, the pressure on transportation is rising, making accidents more likely.

Why This Matters

The bus crash is not only a traffic accident—it is also a story of displacement, poverty, and weak infrastructure. It highlights the dangers Afghan refugees face when they are forced back from other countries.

At the same time, it shows the urgent need for better roads, safer transport, and stronger protections for travelers inside Afghanistan. Without these, more innocent lives may be lost in the future.

For now, families across Herat and beyond are grieving the sudden loss of their loved ones. The crash has left Afghanistan once again facing deep sorrow, and the world is reminded of the struggles of one of the most vulnerable populations.