KABUL: At least six people were martyred and three others injured in two separate traffic accidents in Afghanistan’s Balkh and Maidan Wardak provinces, local authorities said on Saturday.
The incidents occurred in the “Tapa-e-Shaheedan” area along the Kabul–Kandahar highway in Nerkh district, Maidan Wardak, and in the Hairatan port township in Balkh province.
According to the 313th Central Army Corps, four people were martyred in the Kabul–Kandahar highway accident. Police in Balkh province said two people lost their lives and three others were injured in the Hairatan incident.
Officials said both accidents happened after vehicles veered off the road and overturned.
Local authorities blamed driver negligence for the deadly crashes.
Traffic accidents have increased in Afghanistan in recent years, claiming the lives of many people.
Reckless driving, poor road conditions, speeding, and failure to follow traffic rules are considered the main causes of such fatal incidents.