A devastating bus crash in Afghanistan’s Herat province has left at least 71 people dead, including 17 children, in one of the country’s deadliest road accidents in recent years. The bus, carrying Afghans recently deported from Iran, collided with a motorcycle and a fuel-laden truck, sparking a catastrophic fire that claimed the lives of nearly all passengers. This tragedy, occurring in the Guzara district, underscores the perilous journey faced by migrants forcibly returned to a nation grappling with humanitarian crises.
The Bus Crash Catastrophe in Herat
The accident took place on Tuesday night, as the bus, filled with deportees from Iran, travelled towards Kabul from the Islam Qala border crossing. According to local police, the bus driver’s excessive speed and negligence led to the initial collision with a motorcycle, followed by a secondary crash into a truck carrying fuel. The impact ignited a fire that engulfed the bus, leaving only three survivors among the passengers. Two individuals on the motorcycle and two in the truck also perished, bringing the total death toll to at least 71, with some local sources reporting up to 74 fatalities. Provincial government spokesman Ahmadullah Muttaqi described the scene as harrowing, with firefighters unable to save the victims despite their swift response.
Iran’s Deportation Surge Adds to Afghanistan’s Woes
The passengers were part of a massive wave of Afghans deported from Iran in recent months, with over 1.5 million people forcibly returned since January 2025, according to the UN Refugee Agency. Iran’s intensified deportation campaign, accelerated after a brief conflict with Israel in June, has targeted undocumented Afghan migrants, many of whom had lived in Iran for generations. The Iranian government set a July deadline for voluntary departures, but mass deportations have continued, with plans to expel an additional 800,000 Afghans by March 2026. These policies have strained Afghanistan’s already fragile infrastructure, as the nation struggles to absorb returnees amidst ongoing poverty, conflict, and reduced international aid.
A Humanitarian Crisis Amplified
The return of so many Afghans, coupled with similar deportations from Pakistan, has overwhelmed Afghanistan’s resources. The UNHCR reports that over 1.4 million people have been forced back to Afghanistan this year, exacerbating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Many deportees, including women and children, face extreme hardship under Taliban rule, with limited access to shelter, food, or employment. Arshad Malik, country director for Save the Children Afghanistan, warned that the influx of returnees is placing unprecedented pressure on the country’s overstretched resources, particularly as aid cuts deepen the crisis.
Road Safety Challenges in Afghanistan
Traffic accidents are a recurring tragedy in Afghanistan, driven by poor road conditions, inadequate regulations, and hazardous driving practices. Decades of conflict have left the country’s infrastructure in disrepair, with highways often posing significant risks. In December 2024, two bus accidents in central Afghanistan claimed at least 52 lives, highlighting the persistent dangers of road travel. The Herat crash, attributed to the bus driver’s recklessness, further exposes the urgent need for improved road safety measures and stricter enforcement.
A Call for Compassion and Action
The loss of so many lives in this bus crash is a stark reminder of the human cost of forced deportations and the challenges faced by Afghan migrants. As Afghanistan grapples with reintegrating returnees, the international community must address the underlying causes of migration, including conflict and economic instability. For now, the tragedy in Herat serves as a sombre call for greater compassion towards those caught in the crosshairs of geopolitical policies. The Afghans deported from Iran, seeking safety and stability, deserved a safer journey home. Instead, their lives were cut short in a horrific bus crash, leaving families and communities in mourning.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 20th, 2025
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