At least 18 people were killed when a truck carrying Afghan families returning from Pakistan overturned near Surkhakan intersection in Qarghayi district, Laghman province, early Saturday around 5:30 a.m. local time. The victims included 10 children and multiple women, according to multiple sources reporting from the site [1, 2, 3]. Some outlets gave a higher death toll of 22, with up to 36 people injured [4, 5].

The truck was traveling on the road linking Jalalabad and Kabul when the driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to veer off and slam into a ditch [2, 5]. The injured, numbering between 29 and 36 according to various reports, were transported to hospitals in nearby Nangarhar province. Many were in serious condition [1, 2, 5, 3].

The families aboard were among over 447,000 Afghans who have returned from Pakistan since the start of 2026 amid increasing deportations, United Nations figures show [1, 2, 5]. Traffic accidents are common in Afghanistan due to poor road conditions, aging vehicles, and lax enforcement of safety regulations [1, 2, 5, 3].

The Taliban government condemned the accident and expressed sorrow at the loss. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, "I am deeply saddened by the tragedy and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured." Authorities announced emergency financial aid totaling 730,000 afghanis ($10,000 USD) to assist victims' families and survivors [2, 5].

The precise numbers of dead and injured vary between local sources, with some reporting 18 fatalities and others claiming 22. Injured counts range from 29 to 36 [1, 4, 5, 3]. The investigation continues, with officials focused on preventing similar tragedies as thousands of returnees travel through the region daily.

Emergency responders remain at the scene to provide aid, while hospitals in Nangarhar continue treating the critically wounded. The road between Jalalabad and Kabul remains a key transit route for returnees from Pakistan. Authorities urged drivers to exercise caution amid heavy traffic and poor road conditions.