A tragic traffic accident occurred on Tuesday at around 8:30 PM near the Hawz Shah bridge in Yakawlang District No. 1, Bamyan Province. A passenger van collided with a freight vehicle, resulting in the death of the van’s driver and injuries to 14 individuals, including two women.
Authorities from the Yakawlang District No. 1 Police Headquarters promptly arrived at the scene, ensuring the injured were transported to the district hospital. Six of the injured, who were reported to be in critical condition, were later transferred to the provincial hospital in Bamyan for advanced medical care.
Preliminary investigations suggest that reckless driving and excessive speed were the primary causes of the accident.
This incident highlights the ongoing struggles in the Hazara Jat region of central Afghanistan, which is predominantly inhabited by the Hazara population. Despite its rich cultural heritage, the region remains severely underdeveloped, with many residents in Bamyan still living in caves due to a lack of basic infrastructure. The area’s historical challenges are compounded by atrocities such as the destruction of the 55-meter-tall Buddha statue by the Taliban during their first regime and the brutal massacre of Hazara residents in Yakawlang District, events that continue to cast a shadow over the community’s resilience.
