30 Died, 56 Injured in Two Traffic Accidents in Western Afghanistan

At least 30 people were killed and 56 others wounded in two separate traffic accidents in western Farah and Herat provinces of Afghanistan on Sunday, local officials confirmed.

The first incident that left at least 14 people dead occurred after a civilian bus collided with a fuel tanker on the main highway in Gulistan district of Farah province.

Ajmal Zahid, district governor of Gulistan, said that 43 others were wounded in the incident and only two people left unhurt.

He added that the bus was on its way from western Herat toward the capital, Kabul, when the accident took place.

Meanwhile, at least 16 people including women and children were killed and 13 wounded  in another traffic accident in Guzara district of western Herat province of Afghanistan.

Health officials told Ariana News that wounded people were taken to the central hospital of Herat province for treatment with some in critical condition.

Traffic accidents are not unusual in Afghanistan; annually hundreds of people die in traffic accidents on highways across the country – mostly as the result of unpaved raods, high speeds and carelessness while driving.

By HESAMUDDIN HESAM