By - News Beat
In a devastating series of events, Afghanistan is mourning the loss of at least 52 lives following two tragic bus accidents. 65 people were also injured in these incidents in different provinces on Wednesday, many of them are in critical condition, which casts a shadow of grief across the country.
The first accident occurred in the southern province of Kandahar, where a passenger bus collided with a fuel tanker on a busy highway. As a result of the collision, a fire broke out in which 35 people died on the spot and dozens were injured. Officials believe excessive speed and poor visibility played a role in the tragedy.
The second accident occurred in the northern province of Balkh, where another passenger bus overturned on a mountain road and fell into a ditch. At least 17 people were killed and more than 20 injured in the accident. Witnesses at the scene reported that the bus was overloaded, a common problem in Afghanistan's difficult terrain.
President Hassan Akhund expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and demanded a full investigation into the causes of the two accidents. "This is a painful reminder of the urgent need for reform in our transportation system," he said in a statement.
The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals, medical teams are working tirelessly to save lives. However, the condition of many is critical and the death toll may rise further.
Road safety has long been a concern in Afghanistan. Poor infrastructure, overloaded vehicles, and non-enforcement of traffic rules often lead to accidents. According to the World Health Organization, road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in the country, causing thousands of deaths annually.
Human rights groups and NGOs have called for increased investment in road safety measures, including better road maintenance, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and public awareness campaigns to reduce reckless driving.
Survivors of the accidents shared harrowing accounts of the events. "The fire spread so fast," said one survivor of the Kandahar crash. People were trapped inside, and we couldn't do anything to save them.” In Balkh, a grieving father who lost two of his children in a bus accident said, “If safety measures had been taken, it would have helped. Could have been saved. We need a change.
These tragic events underscore the urgent need to improve road safety and transportation policies in Afghanistan. Advocates are urging the government and international organizations to prioritize infrastructure development and driver training programs to prevent further casualties.
As families bury their loved ones, the nation is reeling from these avoidable tragedies. The road ahead is long, but through collective efforts, Afghanistan can work toward a future where such heartbreaking accidents are rare.