This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2024 shows a bus damaged in a road accident in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. At least 44 commuters have been confirmed dead and 76 others were injured in two separate road accidents in east Afghanistan's Ghazni province on Wednesday night, a local official reported Thursday. (Photo by Marjankhil/Xinhua)

GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 44 commuters have been confirmed dead and 76 others were injured in two separate road accidents in east Afghanistan's Ghazni province on Wednesday night, a local official reported Thursday.

The mishaps took place on the outskirts of Ghazni city and in the Andar district of the province, along the highway linking the capital Kabul with the southern Kandahar province, said Mullah Hamidullah Nesar, provincial director of information and culture.

According to Nesar, all the injured have been shifted to health centers for treatment, but most of their conditions were reported as critical.

Road accidents due to reckless driving on congested roads and lack of traffic signs on dilapidated highways are leading causes of death in the war-ravaged country. ■

This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2024 shows a bus damaged in a road accident in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. At least 44 commuters have been confirmed dead and 76 others were injured in two separate road accidents in east Afghanistan's Ghazni province on Wednesday night, a local official reported Thursday. (Photo by Marjankhil/Xinhua)

A man injured in a road accident receives treatment at a hospital in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2024. At least 44 commuters have been confirmed dead and 76 others were injured in two separate road accidents in east Afghanistan's Ghazni province on Wednesday night, a local official reported Thursday. (Photo by Marjankhil/Xinhua)