At least three people, including a woman, were killed and five others injured when a truck overturned in southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province, local officials confirmed on Saturday. The incident occurred on the outskirts of Police District 10 in Lashkar Gah city, the provincial capital, as the truck—carrying a family relocating to another area—lost control due to reckless driving.

According to the provincial department of information and culture, the victims included women and children, highlighting the growing toll of road accidents across the country. The injured were immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where several remain in critical condition.

This is the latest in a series of deadly traffic incidents in Afghanistan. Earlier in the week, three people were killed and 18 others injured in a multi-vehicle collision involving a tractor and two passenger vehicles in eastern Laghman province. Over the past week alone, at least 11 people have died and nearly 40 others have been injured in separate accidents across the provinces of Laghman, Khost, Ghazni, Badakhshan, and Balkh.

Authorities attribute the surge in road fatalities to reckless driving, poor infrastructure, overloading, and a lack of proper traffic signs and regulations. Many of Afghanistan’s highways remain in deteriorating condition, exacerbating the risks for daily commuters.

Traffic officials have repeatedly urged motorists to adhere to speed limits and safety guidelines, warning that violations continue to result in preventable tragedies. Despite calls for stricter enforcement and road safety awareness, Afghanistan continues to record one of the highest accident-related death rates in the region.

The Helmand incident underscores the urgent need for improved road management, driver education, and emergency response systems to prevent further loss of life on Afghanistan’s roads.