ZARANJ (Pajhwok): Officials in Nimroz say search operations are continuing for 19 Afghans who went missing in the Dasht-i-Margo desert of the southwestern province four days ago after the vehicle carrying them to neighbouring Iran via an illegal route broke down.
Governor’s spokesman Mawlawi Abdul Mutawakil Tawhidi told Pajhwok Afghan News 20 Afghans had set out for Iran several days ago through an illegal crossing when their vehicle developed a mechanical fault in the Dasht-i-Margo area of Chakhansur district.
He explained that the driver and one passenger left the group to look for water, assistance and equipment to repair the vehicle. However, because of a severe dust storm, the remaining passengers were unable to stay at the site and dispersed in different directions in an attempt to find nearby villages.
He added that when the driver and his companion returned, they were unable to find any of the other passengers.
He noted that the vehicle had broken down twice earlier during the journey. After repairing it, the driver and his companion also lost their way in the storm and became stranded in the sand. Eventually, one of them managed to reach Zaranj and informed the provincial authorities and police.
Tawhidi confirmed that the incident occurred four days ago and that police and intelligence personnel had launched an extensive search operation immediately after receiving the report.
He noted that rescue efforts were continuing through various means, including the deployment of helicopters, but no trace of the missing men had yet been found.
Tawhidi dismissed some reports published about the incident as inaccurate, saying the five bodies recovered were not among the 19 people reported missing.
He said the 19 individuals remained missing and that security forces were continuing search operations to locate them. He added that the five recovered bodies had been airlifted by helicopter.
He further clarified that the 19 missing individuals were also all men and that no women were among the group.
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