1982day.year
The Salang Tunnel fire in Afghanistan kills 150–2000 people.
A deadly fire breaks out in Afghanistan’s Salang Tunnel, claiming hundreds of lives in one of the country’s worst transport disasters.
In the early hours of November 3, 1982, a fuel truck caught fire inside the Salang Tunnel, a critical passage through the Hindu Kush mountains. The blaze spread rapidly in the confined space, producing thick smoke that trapped military convoys and civilian vehicles. Rescue efforts were hampered by limited ventilation and hostile weather conditions outside the tunnel. Casualty estimates range from 150 to over 2,000, making it one of the deadliest tunnel disasters ever recorded. The incident severely disrupted Soviet supply lines during the Afghanistan conflict and highlighted the strategic importance of the Salang Pass. In the aftermath, plans were made to improve tunnel safety and emergency response capabilities.
1982
Salang Tunnel fire
Afghanistan