At least twelve people were killed and three seriously injured on Saturday, February 7, 2026, when a minibus crashed in northeastern Afghanistan, according to reports from state media. The incident occurred when the vehicle overturned and fell into a valley.
The crash took place in Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan province, a mountainous region bordering Tajikistan, Pakistan and China. While details remain limited, the incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by travelers in Afghanistan due to deteriorating infrastructure and challenging road conditions.
This latest tragedy follows a series of deadly traffic accidents across the country. In November 2025, a collision on the Herat-Kandahar highway claimed the lives of at least ten people and injured twelve others. That incident involved a passenger bus and a minivan, and, like the recent crash in Badakhshan, included women and children among the victims. According to Taliban police officials at the time, the vehicles collided in the Zawol district. Some of the injured were transported to the Shindand district hospital, while others, along with the bodies of the deceased, were taken to Herat Regional Hospital.
Afghanistan’s transportation network has suffered decades of conflict and neglect, leaving many roads in disrepair. Poor road maintenance, coupled with a lack of enforcement of traffic regulations and often reckless driving, contribute to a high rate of accidents. The World Health Organization estimates that over 4,700 people are killed annually in traffic-related incidents within the country.
The situation is particularly acute in rural areas, where roads are often unpaved and poorly maintained. In August 2025, a bus overturn in Herat province resulted in at least 76 deaths, including numerous children, marking one of the country’s deadliest road accidents on record. The sheer scale of that disaster underscored the vulnerability of passengers traveling on Afghanistan’s roads.
The Taliban administration, which seized power in August 2021, has pledged to improve infrastructure and road safety. However, progress has been hampered by economic challenges, international sanctions, and ongoing security concerns. The recent approval of a faculty of prophetic traditional medicine by the Taliban leader, while notable, does little to address the immediate and pressing need for improved transportation safety.
Beyond the immediate loss of life, these accidents have a significant impact on Afghan families and communities. The loss of breadwinners can plunge households into poverty, and the lack of adequate healthcare facilities in many areas exacerbates the suffering of those injured in crashes. Reports from remote districts, such as one from Kandahar in February 2026, highlight the critical shortage of healthcare resources available to residents.
The ongoing power cuts affecting Kabul and other provinces, reported on February 6, 2026, further complicate the situation, potentially impacting emergency response efforts and access to medical care. The instability of the power grid adds another layer of difficulty to an already challenging environment.
The recent penal code approved by the Taliban leadership, granting its leader broad authority, may have implications for future regulations related to transportation and road safety, though the precise impact remains to be seen. The extent to which these new regulations will be enforced and whether they will effectively address the root causes of traffic accidents remains uncertain.
The frequent accidents also raise questions about the safety standards of vehicles operating in Afghanistan. Many buses and minibuses are old and poorly maintained, increasing the risk of mechanical failure. The lack of regular inspections and enforcement of safety standards further contributes to the problem.
The international community has provided some assistance to Afghanistan in improving its infrastructure, but much more is needed. Addressing the country’s transportation challenges requires a long-term commitment to investment in road construction, maintenance, and driver training. It also requires strengthening law enforcement and promoting a culture of road safety.
The crash in Badakhshan serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life in Afghanistan and the urgent need for improved transportation infrastructure and safety measures. As the country continues to grapple with political and economic challenges, ensuring the safety of its citizens on the roads must remain a priority.
