At least 11 Afghan nationals lost their lives and nine others were injured in a collision between a pick-up and an oil tanker near the Nokundi area of Chagai district, Balochistan, on Sunday. Officials said the victims were attempting to illegally migrate to Europe via Iran with the help of human smugglers.
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The incident occurred when a Zamyad pick-up, carrying 21 Afghans, collided with an oil tanker in a remote Katcha area about 35km from Nokundi late Sunday night. The collision killed 11 people on the spot, including the driver, while nine others sustained injuries. Rescue teams and local residents rushed to the scene early on Monday morning to recover the bodies and provide medical assistance.
بلوچستان: ضلع چاغی میں تیل بردار آئل ٹینکر اور مسافر بردار گاڑی کے درمیان خوفناک حادثہ، 10 افراد جاں بحق جبکہ 6 زخمی ہوگئے۔
سینئر صحافی طاہر خان کے مطابق بلوچستان حکام نے اتوار کو بتایا کہ ضلع چاغی میں پیش آنے والے ایک سڑک حادثے میں کم از کم نو افغان شہری جاں بحق ہو گئے۔لاشیں… pic.twitter.com/wA9FnWj6t5
— Niaz Lashari 🎦 نیاز لاشاری (@NiazLashar) December 21, 2025
Medical Officer Dr. Nadir Khan confirmed that the injured were treated at Nokundi district hospital and their conditions are now stable. Police officials added that, except for the driver, all victims were Afghan nationals. Following legal procedures and initial medical care, the deceased and injured were repatriated to their native towns in Afghanistan through Afghan border authorities.
The driver of the pick-up, Khudanazar, a resident of Taftan, also died on the spot, police said. Investigations suggest that overspeeding was likely a key factor in the accident. Authorities are examining all aspects to determine accountability for the collision.
The tragic crash highlights the dangers of high-speed travel and heavy traffic on highways in Chagai’s border areas, where fatal road accidents have become increasingly frequent. In separate incidents, two more people were killed in Bolan and Sibi districts in road accidents, underlining ongoing road safety concerns in Balochistan.
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The accident has once again drawn attention to the risks associated with illegal migration, especially in remote border regions where smuggling networks operate and road conditions are challenging.