Officials from Herat Refugees and Repatriation department said six members of an Afghan family, who were going to Europe, have died on the border between Iran and Turkey. 

Herat Refugees and Repatriation department head Ahmad Jawed Nadem said relatives of the family said their loved ones died because of cold weather. 

The six members have been brought to Herat province.

According to Nadem, the family originates from Baghlan province and two months ago went to Iran from Mazar-e-Sharif city. 

Nadem said the family members include three children, one woman and two men. 

“We have the bodies of six members of a family, including three children, one woman and two men. Based on our information, they were deported from Iran. About 13 days ago, their relatives were informed that they (based on the family’s claim) died at the Turkey border due to cold weather,” said Nadem. 

Nadem said activities of human trafficking groups in the country is a concern, adding that these groups encourage people to migrate illegally, which is very dangerous. 

“Unfortunately, human trafficking bands work like a chain from Afghanistan to the final destination. We have an anti-human trafficking law which has been approved and we are trying to enforce it,” said Nadem. 

A number of residents of Herat city, meanwhile, said unemployment, insecurity and poverty are the reasons people put their lives in danger and begin illegal migration to Europe, in the hope of a better life. 

The residents asked government to create jobs and employment opportunities to stop people from leaving the country. 

“I think there are three reasons behind illegal migration - unemployment, poverty and insecurity,” Hafizullah, a resident of Herat said. 

“Government should close illegal routes of migration to prevent such incidents. Also, it should provide job opportunities for all people,” Jalil Ahmad, another resident of Herat said. 

“Families and the youth, due to pressures they encounter from unemployment and insecurity, accept any danger in leaving the country,” Mohammad Yunus, another Herat resident said. 

Bodies of the family members are to be transported from Herat to Mazar-e-Sharif city on Wednesday. 

The deaths of the family members has occurred amid one from a week ago, when the body of an Afghan woman, who died from unknown causes at the border between Iran and Turkey, was transported to Herat.