Faizabad, Badakhshan – Ehsanullah Kamgar, spokesperson for the provincial police command in Badakhshan, reported that two distinct traffic incidents in Keshm district on Friday (February 20, 2026) resulted in one fatality and four injuries.
Kabul 24: The first accident occurred before noon in the Baloch area of Keshm district, where a Suzuki vehicle collided with a pickup truck. According to Kamgar, the crash claimed the life of one person, while two others sustained injuries. The injured were promptly transferred to medical facilities for treatment, with their conditions described as stable in initial reports.
In a separate incident later that day in the Madaba area of the same district, two motorcycles collided head-on. This collision injured two additional individuals, who were subsequently moved to healthcare centers—some reportedly transferred to facilities in neighboring Takhar province for advanced care.
These events highlight the persistent road safety challenges in Badakhshan’s rugged, mountainous terrain, where narrow, poorly maintained roads, combined with heavy vehicle traffic and variable weather, frequently contribute to accidents.
Keshm district, located along key provincial routes, has seen recurring incidents in recent months, often involving overloaded or speeding vehicles.
Local authorities have not yet released detailed causes for Friday’s crashes, such as speed, road conditions, or driver error, but such factors are commonly cited in similar reports from the region.
The incidents underscore ongoing concerns about infrastructure improvements and traffic enforcement in remote northeastern Afghanistan, where emergency response can be delayed due to geographic isolation.
No further casualties or complications were immediately reported, and investigations into both accidents are underway. Officials urged drivers to exercise caution, adhere to speed limits, and ensure vehicles are in proper condition amid the province’s challenging driving environment.
