Deadly Bus Crash in Afghanistan Kills 79, Mostly Deportees from Iran

At least 79 Afghans, including nearly 20 children, were killed late Tuesday when a passenger bus carrying deportees from Iran collided with a motorcycle and a truck before erupting in flames on the Herat–Kabul highway. The accident occurred about half an hour outside Herat city, leaving behind a scene of charred wreckage and mass casualties.

Provincial officials confirmed that the vehicle was heavily overcrowded with Afghans who had recently been expelled from Iran. Of the passengers, only two or three survived, all with serious injuries. Most victims were burned beyond recognition, making identification difficult for authorities and grieving families.

Witnesses described chaotic rescue efforts as emergency teams rushed to contain the fire. The Interior Ministry has ordered a full investigation into the crash, citing overloaded transport and unsafe driving conditions as possible causes.

The tragedy comes amid a surge in deportations from Iran, which has stepped up efforts to remove undocumented Afghans in recent months. Herat, located near the Iranian border, has become a major entry point for returnees who then board buses for the long journey across Afghanistan. Many of these migrants face bleak conditions, with little support awaiting them upon return.

Traffic accidents are a recurring danger in Afghanistan, where poor infrastructure, reckless driving, and overcrowded public transport often combine to produce catastrophic outcomes. Officials say this latest disaster underscores the urgent need for stronger road safety regulations and monitoring.

International aid agencies have expressed concern about the growing humanitarian crisis linked to mass expulsions, warning that deportees face extreme vulnerabilities during their return journeys. For many families, Tuesday’s crash not only cut short lives but also highlighted the precarious existence of Afghans caught between displacement, poverty, and instability.