Officials believe the group became stranded in extreme heat and ran out of water while traveling through the deserts of Nimroz and Helmand provinces, News.Az reports.
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The incident is the latest in a series of deadly migration tragedies involving Afghans seeking work and better living conditions in neighboring Iran.
What happened?
According to Afghan authorities, a group of 19 migrants attempted to enter Iran through unofficial desert routes in southwestern Afghanistan.
Security forces later recovered the bodies of five people in Nimroz province, while 14 others remain missing. Rescue teams have continued searching the desert in the hope of locating the missing migrants.
Officials believe the victims died after becoming stranded in harsh desert conditions. High temperatures, prolonged exposure to the sun and a lack of drinking water are thought to have been the primary causes of death.
Because the group was traveling through isolated areas far from settlements and emergency services, assistance may not have reached them in time.
The exact circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the remaining migrants have not yet been confirmed.
Why do Afghan migrants use dangerous desert routes?
Thousands of Afghans attempt to enter Iran each year in search of employment, higher wages and improved living conditions.
Many migrants use unofficial border crossings because they lack the necessary travel documents or are unable to obtain legal permission to enter Iran. Smuggling networks frequently guide migrants through remote desert regions where border security is less visible.
These routes are extremely dangerous due to long distances, difficult terrain, limited access to food and water, and exposure to severe weather conditions.
Travelers often depend on smugglers for transportation and navigation. If they become separated from their guides or vehicles break down, they can quickly find themselves stranded in life-threatening conditions.
Why is the Afghanistan-Iran border so hazardous?
The border between Afghanistan and Iran passes through vast desert regions, particularly in Nimroz and Helmand provinces.
During the summer months, temperatures can rise to dangerous levels, making dehydration and heatstroke serious risks for anyone traveling on foot. Water sources are scarce, while the long distances between populated areas make rescue operations difficult.
Migrants often walk for many hours—or even several days—through isolated terrain while carrying limited supplies.
In winter, the dangers shift from extreme heat to freezing temperatures. Last year, dozens of Afghan migrants reportedly died while attempting to cross into Iran after being exposed to severe cold.
The combination of harsh environmental conditions and irregular migration routes makes the border one of the region’s most dangerous migration corridors.
Why are so many Afghans trying to reach Iran?
Iran has long been one of the main destinations for Afghan migrants because of its geographic proximity and employment opportunities, particularly in construction, agriculture and other labor-intensive sectors.
Many Afghans leave their country because of economic hardship, unemployment and limited opportunities. For some families, work in Iran provides an important source of income through remittances sent back home.
However, many migrants undertake the journey without legal documentation, increasing their dependence on human smugglers and exposing them to significant risks along the route.
The combination of economic pressures and limited legal migration pathways continues to drive irregular cross-border movement despite the well-known dangers.
What could happen next?
Afghan authorities are expected to continue search operations to locate the 14 missing migrants and determine exactly how the tragedy unfolded.
The incident is also likely to renew attention on the humanitarian risks associated with irregular migration between Afghanistan and Iran. International organizations have repeatedly warned that migrants traveling through remote deserts face life-threatening conditions and often lack access to emergency assistance.
Officials may also investigate whether human smuggling networks were involved in organizing the group’s journey.
The latest deaths underscore the continuing dangers faced by people attempting irregular border crossings. Until safer and more accessible migration pathways become available, similar tragedies are likely to remain a recurring humanitarian challenge along the Afghanistan-Iran border.
