Two severe traffic accidents in southeastern Afghanistan have claimed the lives of at least 44 people and left over 70 others injured, officials confirmed.
The incidents occurred late at night in Ghazni province, according to Hamidullah Nisar, the head of Afghanistan’s Information and Culture Department. Speaking to the press, Nisar disclosed that the first accident involved a fuel tanker, while the second was related to a cargo truck.
“Both accidents resulted in significant casualties, with at least 44 people dead and 76 injured,” Nisar said. He added that authorities are investigating the causes of the incidents and emphasized the urgent need to address road safety issues in the region.
The fuel tanker accident reportedly led to a devastating fire, complicating rescue efforts and causing severe burns among many of the injured. Local health officials confirmed that several victims are in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could rise further.
The second accident, involving a cargo truck, resulted in significant structural damage to the vehicle and left many passengers trapped. Emergency responders worked through the night to extract survivors and transport them to nearby hospitals.
Ghazni province, a key transit route in southeastern Afghanistan, has long been plagued by poor road conditions and lax enforcement of traffic regulations. The province’s mountainous terrain and narrow, poorly maintained roads pose additional challenges to safe travel.
The Afghan government has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged support for the injured. Medical teams have been dispatched to provide aid, while local authorities are coordinating with health facilities to ensure the injured receive proper treatment.
These latest accidents underscore Afghanistan’s ongoing road safety crisis. According to recent studies, road accidents are one of the leading causes of fatalities in the country, often exacerbated by overloaded vehicles, lack of safety measures, and poorly maintained infrastructure.
International aid organizations operating in Afghanistan have called for increased investment in road safety initiatives, including better infrastructure, stricter regulations, and public awareness campaigns.
The tragic events in Ghazni serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life on Afghanistan’s roads.
