The burning bus accident kills dozens of migrants back in Afghanistan after Iran deported them, authorities say

Seventy -six people died in a collision in western Afghanistan on Tuesday night between a bus carrying Afghan migrants, a truck and a motorcycle, local officials said.

Mutfi Muhammad Yousuf Saeedi, spokesman for the provincial governor of Herat, said the dead included women and 17 children, added that three people were taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The truck carried oil that instantly caused a fire, authorities said. It happened on an occupied road.

Mufti Saeedi confirmed to News themezone that the bus carried refugees that had recently been deported by neighbor Iran.

They were part of a large-scale operation to eliminate Afghanos from Iran initiated after the 12-day war from Israel-Iran in June. Thousands of Afghan were forced to leave, often in terrible circumstances, as tension increased in the region. Many faced significant difficulties during their transfer by dealing with the challenges of displacement and their uncertain future.

The videos and photos shared on social networks showed the bus on fire. “Firefighters arrived at the accident scene quickly, but unfortunately they could not rescue anyone,” News Ahmadullah Mutaqi, information director and culture at Herat told News.

The State News Agency Bakhtar said that Tuesday’s accident was one of the most mortal in Afghanistan in recent years.

Traffic accidents are common in Afghanistan due in part to poor roads after decades of conflict, driving dangerously on roads and lack of regulation. Buses and trucks are often overloaded, which increases the risk of accidents.

In December, Two bus accidents Involve a fuel oil tanker and a truck on a road through center of Afghanistan killed at least 52.

Agance France-Presse contributed to this report.

• Iran
• Afghanistan