BADAKHSHAN, Afghanistan — Six people were killed and four others injured in a traffic accident in the northeastern province of Badakhshan on Thursday, according to local Taliban officials.
Quoting local Taliban officials, the Taliban-run Bakhtar News Agency reported the accident occurred when a Land Cruiser veered off the road and plunged into the Amu River in Yawan district of the province.
The provincial department of information and culture reported that only one body has been recovered so far, with the remaining victims still missing. Efforts to retrieve the missing continue, officials said.
Badakhshan, a remote and mountainous region, has long suffered from inadequate infrastructure, including poorly maintained roads and a lack of bridges. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the risks posed by these deficiencies, particularly during the harsh winter months when temperatures plummet and snow obstructs already precarious routes.
The Amu River, which forms part of Afghanistan’s northern border, is known for its fast currents, complicating rescue operations in the frigid conditions.
