Two fatal bus accidents on a highway in central Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of 52 people and left 65 others injured, according to the Taliban government on Thursday.
The accidents occurred late Wednesday on the Kabul-Kandahar Highway in Ghazni province. The first incident took place near Shahbaz village, where a bus collided with a fuel tanker. The second accident occurred in the eastern district of Andar when another bus struck a truck.
Hamidullah Nisar, the provincial information and culture head, shared the details on social media but did not specify the number of casualties in each incident.
“We regret to announce that two tragic traffic accidents occurred on the Kabul-Kandahar Highway, resulting in 52 fatalities and 65 injuries,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, the government’s chief spokesman.
Rescue teams responded promptly, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals, with some reported in critical condition.
The cause of the accidents remains unclear, but Afghanistan’s roads, affected by years of conflict, poor driving practices, and limited regulatory oversight, are notorious for frequent traffic accidents.
This tragic event follows a series of fatal road accidents. In March, a bus collided with a fuel tanker in southern Helmand province, killing over 20 people and injuring 38. In December 2022, a fuel tanker overturned and exploded in the Salang Pass, killing 31 people and leaving many others severely burned.
