Afghan migrants: 14 bodies found in desert

Officials said the bodies of 14 Afghans trying to reach Iran have been found in a desert in southwestern Afghanistan, weeks after their vehicle broke down and they continued on foot.

Authorities had been searching for the group since the driver of the vehicle reached a village in Nimroz province, dehydrated and exhausted, seeking help. Five bodies were found soon after, before authorities launched a search for 14 others who had continued the journey on foot.

A source at Nimroz provincial hospital told AFP on Saturday that the 14 bodies were found buried in sand. Provincial government spokesman Abdul Mutawakil Tawhidi confirmed the discovery on Friday.

Nimroz is one of Afghanistan's hottest and driest provinces, with temperatures around 45C at this time of year.

Abdul Khaleq, a resident of Qolghi in Badghis province, told AFP the 14 young men were from his village and had left home 23 days earlier.

Iran is a common destination for Afghan migrants seeking work, while legal routes to enter are limited. Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said Afghan authorities were continuing efforts against human trafficking.