71 Killed in Bus Crash Involving Afghans Deported from Iran
Tragedy struck western Afghanistan on Monday when a passenger bus carrying refugees, recently deported from Iran, caught fire after colliding with a truck and motorcycle, resulting in the loss of at least 71 lives, according to authorities.
The devastating accident occurred on the Herat-Kandahar highway, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the city of Herat, which is the capital of the Herat province. The bus, which was reportedly carrying around 80 Afghan nationals who had been deported from Iran, was traveling from Iran to Afghanistan when it collided with a truck and a motorcycle.
The impact of the collision caused the bus to burst into flames, leaving passengers with little chance of escaping. The fire was so intense that it took firefighters several hours to extinguish it.
The exact cause of the accident is still unknown, but officials have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The incident comes just a day after Iranian Minister of Interior Eskandar Momeni announced that a further 8,00,000 people would have to leave the country by next March. The announcement sparked widespread concern among human rights groups and aid organizations, who have been warning of the humanitarian consequences of the deportations.
The deportations, which have been ongoing for several months, have seen tens of thousands of Afghan nationals forced to leave Iran and return to their home country. Many of these individuals have been living in Iran for years, and have built lives and businesses there. The sudden and forced return to Afghanistan has left many without homes, livelihoods, or access to basic services.
The situation is particularly concerning for Afghan refugees who have been living in Iran for years and have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or poverty. Many have been living in dire circumstances, with limited access to food, water, shelter, and healthcare.
The latest bus crash is just the latest in a series of tragedies to have befall Afghan refugees and migrants. In recent months, there have been several reports of Afghan nationals being forced to return to their home country, only to face violence, persecution, and poverty.
The international community has been urging Iran to reconsider its deportation policy, citing concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the forced returns. Human rights groups have been warning of the risks of violence, abuse, and exploitation faced by Afghan nationals who are forced to return to their home country.
In the wake of the latest tragedy, authorities in Afghanistan have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Afghan Ministry of Interior has pledged to provide support to the families of the victims, and has promised to take steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As the world mourns the loss of life in this devastating tragedy, it is clear that the situation for Afghan refugees and migrants is dire. The international community must come together to urge Iran to reconsider its deportation policy, and to provide support to those who are forced to return to their home country.
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