At Least 17 Afghan Migrants Die of Thirst Along Iran Border

DID Press: At least 17 Afghan migrants, including women, men and children, have died from severe dehydration while attempting to cross a remote border area between Afghanistan and Iran, according to reports.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, Sept. 10 (19 Sunbula) in the arid and difficult-to-access Mak-Sukhteh area near the Rotak border region of Saravan County in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province.

According to relatives and sources cited by the Haalvsh news outlet, the migrants faced severe water shortages while traveling along an unauthorized border route and were unable to continue because of extreme heat. Several victims reportedly died close to one another.

Five members of a family from Baghlan province were among those who died. Reports say at least six children under the age of 14 were also among the victims. The bodies were transferred to a morgue in Khash after being recovered from the area.

The incident highlights the deadly risks faced by Afghan migrants using informal routes through remote desert areas, where extreme heat, lack of water and reliance on smugglers can create life-threatening conditions.