TEHRAN: At least 17 Afghan migrants, including women and children, died from severe thirst near Iran’s border, according to the human rights organisation Haalvsh.
The group said the incident occurred on September 10 in the Mak Sookhteh area near the Rotak border zone in Saravan, Iran. The bodies were later transferred to a morgue in Khash, according to Haalvsh.
Haalvsh said five victims belonged to a single family from Afghanistan’s Baghlan province. The victims included a 45-year-old mother and her four daughters, aged 22, 18, 16 and 14.
The organisation added that at least six children under the age of 14 were among the other reported victims.
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Relatives said some family members living in Saravan were preparing funeral arrangements, with prayers expected to be held on Sunday.
Water Shortage During Journey
According to witnesses and relatives cited by Haalvsh, the migrants ran out of water while travelling through the area and died of thirst, with some victims found close to each other.
One relative said men travelling with the group had separated from the women and children during the journey, leaving them to continue without sufficient access to water.
Local sources said the bodies were moved to Khash because the morgue in Saravan lacked enough capacity.
The organisation added that efforts were continuing to identify other victims and establish further details about the deaths.
The incident highlights the risks faced by migrants travelling through remote border areas, where limited access to basic supplies can create severe humanitarian challenges.
