At least seven people were killed and two others injured when a speeding vehicle struck a three‑wheeled motorcycle on a major highway that links Kabul with Afghanistan's eastern provinces. Local authorities reported the collision occurred Saturday evening in the Mashli area of Qarghayi district, Laghman province, on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
The Mashli area sits within Qarghayi district, a segment of Laghman province that lies along a key transport corridor heading east from the capital. That corridor is a principal route for goods and commuters traveling between Kabul and provinces such as Kunar, Nangarhar and Badakhshan.
Witnesses told police that the passenger car was moving well above the speed limit when it collided with the motorcycle. The impact reportedly crushed the motorcycle riders and caused the motorcyclist, who had three passengers, to suffer fatal injuries, while the other two occupants sustained serious wounds.
All seven individuals who died were pronounced dead at the crash scene. The two injured were immediately taken to Laghman's provincial hospital for emergency medical treatment. According to the hospital staff, both victims were given critical care but their conditions remain precarious.
In a statement released by the Laghman provincial police office, officers confirmed that an investigation had been opened overnight. Police investigators are reviewing traffic camera footage from nearby monitoring posts, speaking with bystanders, and collecting forensic evidence from the crash site to determine the exact sequence of events and confirm the vehicle's speed at the time of impact.
The highway in the Mashli region has experienced previous incidents involving high‑speed travel, according to local traffic reports. These incidents often highlight the vulnerability of three‑wheeled riders in collisions on Kabul‑to‑east passes, prompting ongoing safety discussions among provincial officials.
The identity of the driver of the speeding car has not yet been released, and authorities have not confirmed whether the vehicle belonged to a registered motorist or an unlicensed operator, according to the police briefing.
Provincial police urged motorists traveling on the Kabul‑to‑eastern corridor to adhere to posted speed limits and to exercise caution in heavy traffic. Authorities called on witnesses to provide any additional information that could help clarify the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
Investigators continue to work through the night, coordinating with provincial emergency services. Updates are expected from the police office by early next morning, as authorities look to rule out contributory factors such as mechanical failure or driver impairment, beyond the noted speeding violation.
In the meanwhile, Laghman province's health and safety agencies remain on alert, prepared to support the ongoing investigation and to address any additional incidents that may arise along the main highway connecting Kabul to the eastern provinces.