Afghanistan’s embassy in Tehran on Friday reported a traffic accident in Yazd province in Iran in which Afghan nationals have been harmed.

Footage shared by the embassy shows a car burning on a roadside. Sources report high casualties.

Iran's Tasnim news agency reported three deaths in the incident, citing police.

Abdul Ghafor Lewal, the Afghan ambassador to Iran, said: "This issue will be followed between the foreign ministries of both countries (Afghanistan and Iran), and, unfortunately, all are sorry and touched."

There are unconfirmed reports that one of the surviving Afghans in the vehicle claimed that Iranian police had fired on the vehicle, causing the fire.

According to Iranian media reports, police in Yazd province have confirmed that the vehicle was shot by security forces after it did not stop for the police.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan said the incident was a traffic accident, reiterating that it will be investigated. 

“This issue will be followed by the foreign ministries of the two countries and everyone here are upset about it,” said Ghafoor Liwal, the Afghan ambassador in Tehran, who travelled to Yazd province on Friday. 

The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission said an investigation has started into the incident.

“Our colleagues have started an investigation into the incident, and we hope that we can make a report on the victims of the incident and their identity,” said Zabihullah Farhang, head of media office of the commission.

This comes after the border incident in which a group of Afghan migrants were killed after they were forced by Iranian border forces to cross a river, according to officials. The Afghan government assigned a probe team to investigate the incident, but the investigation ended without any result.

“I am so upset that they (government officials) are not aware about the Afghan citizens,” said Sattar Husaini, an MP.

“Burning the vehicle of the Afghan refugees by Iranian police is a ‘crime’ and a horrific act and it is against humanity and international laws,” said Habib-Ur-Rahman Pedram, an Afghan MP.