The Kabul Tribune (KT) — U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have expressed condolences following the deaths of 19 Afghan migrants who reportedly perished in the deserts of Nimroz province while attempting an irregular journey.
Bennett said in a post on X that he joined in offering "heartfelt condolences" to the victims' families and described the incident as "horrifying."
"It is vital to seriously address the root causes that lead to Afghans taking such desperate and dangerous journeys," Bennett said.
The IOM said it was "deeply saddened" by reports of the deaths and extended its condolences to the victims' families and loved ones.
"Every life lost on migration routes is a profound tragedy," the agency said in a statement.
Afghans continue to undertake dangerous irregular migration routes in search of safety, employment and better living conditions, often crossing remote desert areas where they face extreme heat, dehydration and exploitation by human smugglers.
