Yasmin Bilal
A journey back home meant to be a new start ended in tragedy in eastern Afghanistan after a cargo truck carrying returning refugees from Pakistan overturned on a major highway in Laghman province, killing at least 18 people, including children.
The vehicle was transporting Afghan returnees along with their belongings when it suddenly lost control and overturned. Many passengers were seated in the back of the truck, a common but unsafe form of transport in rural and mountainous areas.
The truck was heavily overloaded. The weight of passengers and luggage made it difficult for the driver to maintain control. Fatigue may also have contributed, although this has not been confirmed.
The vehicle veered off the highway before tipping over. Passengers were thrown out or trapped beneath it as it overturned, leaving a devastating scene along the roadside.
People living nearby and emergency teams rushed to assist. Survivors were pulled from the wreckage and taken to nearby medical facilities. Dozens of others were injured, with several in critical condition.
Among those who died were women and children who had recently returned after years of displacement in Pakistan. Many were travelling with family members as they tried to rebuild their lives under difficult circumstances.
The incident has renewed concern about road safety in Afghanistan. Long journeys, overcrowded transport, and poor road conditions continue to place passengers at serious risk, especially in rural and mountainous regions.
For the families affected, what was expected to be a new beginning has instead turned into deep loss and grief.