Deadly Herat Bus Crash Sparks Criticism and Calls for Safe Refugee Returns

Deadly Herat Bus Crash Sparks Criticism and Calls for Safe Refugee Returns
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A deadly bus crash in Afghanistan’s Herat province that killed more than 70 Afghan deportees from Iran, including 17 children, has triggered strong criticism and renewed concerns over the plight of returning refugees. Local reports said the bus, carrying families recently deported from Iran, burst into flames, leaving few survivors in what is considered one of the country’s worst traffic disasters in recent years.

The tragedy has fueled public anger over Afghanistan’s deteriorating infrastructure under Taliban rule. Citizens blamed repeated road accidents on poor oversight of transport companies, unqualified drivers, and aging vehicles, as well as years of neglect and conflict that have left highways narrow and unsafe.

International organizations highlighted the growing risks faced by deported families, particularly children. Rights groups noted that, on average, one Afghan child returns from Iran or Pakistan every 30 seconds, placing immense pressure on the country’s limited resources.

Humanitarian agencies called for ensuring voluntary, safe, and dignified returns, warning that forced repatriations expose children to heightened risks of exploitation and neglect. UN agencies stressed that the Herat tragedy underscored the urgent need to protect migrants and uphold humanitarian standards in refugee policies.