Dozens of Afghan deportees from Iran killed in bus crash
A bus carrying dozens of recently deported Afghan migrants collided with a truck in southern Iran, killing all 52 passengers, according to local authorities. The crash occurred early Sunday near the city of Shiraz, not far from the country's border with Pakistan. It marks one of the worst road accidents in recent years in Iran, where highway deaths are common. The passengers were among hundreds of Afghans who had been deported from Iran in recent days, according to the Iranian authorities.
Iran's migrant crisis
Iran has seen a surge in refugees and migrants crossing its border from Afghanistan in recent months, as the Taliban seized power in Kabul. Iranian officials said they apprehended nearly 800,000 undocumented Afghans attempting to enter their country since the Taliban's takeover. They have routinely deported those entering the country illegally, including across the border into Afghanistan, or to the countries from which they came.
Reactions
The crash drew widespread condemnation from officials and activists alike. Many blamed the Iranian government for its policy of summarily deporting Afghan migrants, including those who recently fled Afghanistan as the Taliban swept through the country and took control of the government. Others pointed to the larger crisis of unsafe roads in the region, which regularly leads to mass casualties.
The aftermath
Iranian officials said they would investigate the crash and punish any officials found responsible for it. The area's deputy governor, Ali Mohammad Karim, said the crash occurred when the bus swerved to avoid a car that had stopped in the road to make a left turn. He said the truck crashed into the bus behind it. The collision set both vehicles ablaze.
