8 Killed as Passenger Vehicle Plunges into River in Afghanistan

Eight people, including women and children, tragically lost their lives after a passenger vehicle fell into the Kokcha River in Badakhshan province, northern Afghanistan, on Friday evening.

The incident occurred as the vehicle was en route to Faizabad, the provincial capital, according to Zabihullah Amiri, the provincial director of information and culture. Speaking to Xinhua News Agency, Amiri confirmed that the victims included the driver and seven of his close relatives—three women and four children.

Rescue teams and local residents promptly responded to the accident, working to recover the victims’ bodies from the river.

Road accidents are a frequent occurrence in Afghanistan, claiming thousands of lives annually. Contributing factors include poor road infrastructure, reckless driving, overloading, and excessive speed, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by travelers in the region.