HERAT: Fourteen Afghan migrants have been found dead in a remote desert in southwestern Afghanistan after attempting to reach neighbouring Iran on foot when their vehicle broke down, Afghan officials said.
The victims were part of a larger group travelling through Nimroz province, a key transit route for migrants seeking work and better economic opportunities in Iran.
Their vehicle became stranded in the harsh desert several weeks ago, forcing the passengers to continue the journey on foot under extreme weather conditions.
The search operation began after the vehicle’s driver reached a nearby village in a severely dehydrated and exhausted state and alerted local authorities.
Rescue teams initially recovered the bodies of five migrants, while efforts continued to locate the remaining members of the group.
Officials later discovered the bodies of 14 migrants buried beneath layers of sand in the desert. Authorities believe they succumbed to the extreme heat and unforgiving conditions while attempting to cross the arid landscape.
Nimroz province is among Afghanistan’s hottest regions, with summer temperatures frequently reaching around 45°C, making long-distance travel on foot particularly hazardous.
Among those killed were young men from the eastern province of Badghis. A resident of Qolghi village said the victims had left home more than three weeks earlier in search of a livelihood in Iran and their families were now preparing to bury them after receiving their bodies.
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Iran remains one of the primary destinations for Afghans seeking employment, as years of economic hardship and limited opportunities continue to drive migration.
However, legal routes for entering the country remain limited, leading many to rely on dangerous irregular crossings organised by human trafficking networks.
Reacting to the incident, Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry claimed that authorities were continuing efforts to combat human trafficking and dismantle networks that facilitate illegal migration.
The latest tragedy underscores the severe dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Afghanistan-Iran border, where travellers are exposed not only to intense summer heat but also to freezing temperatures during the winter months.
Last December, at least 18 Afghan migrants, including a 15-year-old boy, lost their lives while attempting the same journey in extreme cold.
