02:28Afghanistan: Trucks queue near blocked Salang tunnel after deadly oil tanker explosion
Long queues of vehicles were seen in Parwan province on Monday after a fuel truck caught fire and exploded in the Salang tunnel, leaving at least 31 dead and dozens injured on Saturday.
Security forces have been deployed to the area as dozens of trucks lined up along the Salang highway leading to the tunnel, which remains impassable.
According to Hekmatullah Shamim, spokesperson for the Parwan governor, the fire inside the tunnel has now been contained and officials are working to reopen the passage as soon as possible.
“The fire has been controlled completely, and we are trying to reopen the Salang highway maybe after a day or sooner," he said.
According to local media, medical teams are still trying to evacuate those trapped inside the tunnel.
The Salang tunnel is located approximately 130 kilometres north of Kabul. It is a vital transport link between the northern and southern regions of the country.
02:28Long queues of vehicles were seen in Parwan province on Monday after a fuel truck caught fire and exploded in the Salang tunnel, leaving at least 31 dead and dozens injured on Saturday.
Security forces have been deployed to the area as dozens of trucks lined up along the Salang highway leading to the tunnel, which remains impassable.
According to Hekmatullah Shamim, spokesperson for the Parwan governor, the fire inside the tunnel has now been contained and officials are working to reopen the passage as soon as possible.
“The fire has been controlled completely, and we are trying to reopen the Salang highway maybe after a day or sooner," he said.
According to local media, medical teams are still trying to evacuate those trapped inside the tunnel.
The Salang tunnel is located approximately 130 kilometres north of Kabul. It is a vital transport link between the northern and southern regions of the country.