A boat carrying women and children capsized in the eastern province of Nangarhar, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 20 individuals. The calamity occurred in the Basol area of the Momand Dara district at around 7 AM local time.
Quraishi Badlon, the head of Nangarhar’s information department, confirmed the incident on social media, detailing that rescue operations have so far recovered the bodies of five victims. Efforts to locate and recover the remaining bodies are ongoing, with authorities and local volunteers working tirelessly under challenging conditions.
The boat was reportedly crossing a river, a common but perilous means of transport for the residents of this region, who often rely on dilapidated boats due to the absence of bridges. The reasons behind the boat’s sinking are still under investigation, as officials seek to understand what led to this heartbreaking accident.
Local media reports indicate that such river crossings are a frequent necessity for the area’s inhabitants, who lack alternative routes. The frail condition of many boats used for these crossings exacerbates the risk, making accidents a distressingly common occurrence.