A bus exploded in flames after colliding with an abandoned oil tanker that had been attacked by Taliban militants on Friday, southern Afghanistan police said.
Forty-five aboard the bus died, The Associated Press reported. And responders say the Taliban is responsible, at least indirectly.
The tanker had been abandoned in the middle of a road near Kandahar, AP reported. Taliban members attacked it several days ago and police had since closed the area to travel, AP said.
Before dawn on Friday, the bus turned down the road, however, and smashed into the truck. It burst into flames and at least 45 aboard were killed, the Kandahar police chief reported.
Ten more were injured, said Javeed Faisal, a spokesman for the province’s government. Among the injured were men, women and children, some of whom had been burned beyond recognition.
• Wire services contributed in part to this report.
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• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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