Afghan Refugee Truck Crash Kills 22, Injures Dozens on Highway in Eastern Afghanistan

At least 22 people were killed and approximately 36 others injured after a truck carrying returning Afghan refugees overturned on a major highway in eastern Afghanistan, officials said on Saturday.

The deadly accident occurred in Laghman Province along the main route connecting the capital city of Kabul with Nangarhar Province. Authorities said the vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a ditch, resulting in heavy casualties among passengers.

According to provincial officials, the victims included at least 10 children and five women. Most of those injured were women and children, and survivors were transported to hospitals in Nangarhar for emergency treatment.

Health officials confirmed that 22 people lost their lives in the crash, while dozens sustained injuries of varying severity. Preliminary investigations indicate the accident happened after the truck driver reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel.

The passengers were among thousands of Afghan refugees returning from neighboring Pakistan following intensified efforts by Pakistani authorities to deport undocumented migrants and pressure Afghan nationals to leave the country. Similar deportation campaigns have also been carried out by Iran in recent years.

Millions of Afghans have returned to their homeland since the migrant crackdowns began, including many families who were born and raised in Pakistan after spending decades living and working there.

In a separate incident, authorities in Nuristan Province reported that a vehicle plunged into a river on Friday night. The driver survived with injuries, but four passengers remain missing as rescue teams continue search operations.

Road accidents remain a major challenge across Afghanistan due to poor road infrastructure, limited safety measures, and widespread disregard for traffic regulations. Fatal crashes involving passenger vehicles and cargo trucks occur frequently, particularly on major highways connecting provinces.

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