2 dead, 20 injured in Afghan bus accident

At least two people were killed while 20 others injured Saturday when a long-distance bus plunged into a ravine in eastern Afghan province of Parwan, reported local media. "The ill-fated bus plunged into a ravine along Kabul-Mazar-e- Sharif highway, leaving two travelers dead, and 20 others injured, " local media Tolo TV reported. The accident took place in the southern part of the mountainous Salang Pass in Salang district in the province with Charikar as its capital, 55 km north of Afghan capital Kabul, the report said, adding several women and children are among the victims, it said. Police and rescue teams rushed towards the site shortly after the accident happened. All injured have been shifted to the hospital. There are no reports about the conditions of injured. The Afghan officials blame reckless driving for the traffic incidents in the mountainous country, saying reckless driving on congested roads and highways is the main cause of road accidents in Afghanistan.