More than 70 Afghans die in bus crash after mass expulsions from Iran

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Full Story

More than 70 Afghans were killed in a bus crash in Herat Province, Afghanistan, near the Iranian border. Local officials said the victims were among those expelled from Iran as the country pressed ahead with mass deportations.

Millions of Afghans have crossed into Iran in recent decades, often fleeing conflict or poverty. Iran has recently pledged to deport large numbers of undocumented residents.

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The Context

The crash occurred as buses transported deported Afghans back into Afghanistan. It highlights the dangers facing people caught in large-scale expulsions.

Afghanistan’s Herat Province borders Iran and has been a major entry and exit point for migrants. It is often the first destination for returnees after expulsion.

Critics of Iran’s policy say mass deportations put vulnerable people in unsafe conditions. They argue limited support on return increases risks of accidents and hardship.

Supporters of strict border enforcement emphasize the strain migrants place on host nations. They insist countries have the right to control who remains within their borders.

The tragedy underscores the precarious position of Afghan migrants abroad. Many face uncertain futures when forced to return to a country still recovering from years of war.

Afghan officials now confront the challenge of managing sudden inflows of expelled citizens. These returns strain already fragile economic and social systems.