15 people killed in bus crash in Badakhshan, northeastern Afghanistan
At least 15 people were killed in a horrific traffic accident in Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan, the latest in a series of deadly road accidents plaguing the country. A local police spokesman confirmed the accident, stating that the bus veered off course and plunged into a deep ravine while traveling toward Faizabad, the provincial capital.
Details of the incident and the victims
Local authorities explained that the accident resulted in tragic loss of life, with six children, five women, and four men among the victims, reflecting the scale of the tragedy that befell the families traveling on the bus. Security sources attributed the immediate cause of the accident to "poor road conditions," a chronic problem plaguing the rugged mountainous regions of Afghanistan, where roads lack regular maintenance and basic safety standards.
Infrastructure crisis and Badakhshan's rugged terrain
Badakhshan province is one of the most rugged regions in Afghanistan, characterized by its harsh mountainous terrain and narrow roads that wind through dangerous slopes and deep valleys. The region's unpredictable weather conditions further complicate driving, especially given the dilapidated road infrastructure resulting from decades of conflict and war, which has hindered the development of a safe and modern transportation network connecting the provinces and major cities.
Lack of traffic safety standards
The high rate of traffic accidents in Afghanistan is not solely due to poor road conditions, but also to a lack of strict traffic enforcement and reckless driving. Vehicles used for public transport are often old and lack regular inspections, making them prone to sudden brake or tire failures, especially when traversing steep mountain passes. Transport experts also point to overloading of passengers and cargo as a common factor in most rollover accidents.
A bloody record of traffic accidents
This incident brings to mind previous traffic disasters that have shaken Afghan society. Last August, the country witnessed one of the worst traffic accidents in recent years, when 78 people, mostly migrants returning from Iran, were killed in a horrific collision between a bus, a truck, and a motorcycle. These alarming figures remain a stark indicator of the urgent need to rehabilitate roads and enforce stricter traffic laws to protect civilian lives.
