KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – At least 12 people, all women and children, lost their lives when a tractor overturned while crossing a river in southern Helmand province, Taliban authorities confirmed.
Ezatullah Haqqani, spokesperson for the Taliban police command in Helmand, said the tractor was carrying about 30 passengers when it overturned in the Panjwai area of Garmser district. The passengers, mostly women and children, were traveling to Nawa district to attend a wedding ceremony.
According to Haqqani, the tractor was being transported on a boat in an attempt to cross the river when it lost balance and overturned, throwing passengers into the water. “Three women and nine children lost their lives, four children were injured, and 14 others were rescued,” he said.
Deadly traffic and transport accidents are common in Afghanistan, where poorly maintained roads, overcrowded vehicles, and lack of safety measures frequently lead to tragedies. Rural areas, where people often use tractors and trucks to travel long distances, are particularly vulnerable to such incidents.
This latest incident comes just days after a major road accident in western Herat province. At least 79 people, including women and children, were killed Tuesday evening when a bus carrying Afghan migrants deported from Iran collided with two other vehicles on the Herat-Islam Qala Highway.
Taliban authorities said all the victims belonged to 16 families. The crash, they added, was caused by speeding and driver negligence.
