SOCIETY — June 26, 2026

Three Afghan Migrants Drown on Iran’s Caspian Coast, One Still Missing

The victims were aged 12, 14 and 25 and were part of a group of at least 15 who entered prohibited high-risk waters near Nowshahr amid storms and strong currents, with search operations continuing.

The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Khaama Press2 min read

Three Afghan Migrants Drown on Iran’s Caspian Coast, One Still Missing
Image courtesy Khaama Press

Three Afghan migrants aged 12, 14, and 25 drowned in the Caspian Sea on Iran's coast, and one person is still missing. The tragedy occurred when a group of at least 15 Afghan citizens entered the eastern coastal waters of Nowshahr. This happened despite the stormy conditions and strong currents that made the area particularly dangerous.

The waters off Nowshahr are classified as high-risk, and swimming is prohibited there. The migrants went into the sea on Wednesday under these hazardous circumstances. Iranian rescue teams responded to the incident and have been searching for the missing individual.

Mojtaba Shams, the head of the rescue and lifeguard committee in Nowshahr, provided details about the ongoing operations. He noted that search efforts are continuing in an attempt to locate the missing person.

Such incidents involving Afghan migrants in Iranian waters have raised concerns. Economic pressures, limited safety information, and dangerous sea conditions contribute to the risks these individuals face. Rescue officials are working to address the situation amid these challenges.

The event highlights the need for greater awareness about prohibited areas and weather conditions before entering the water. Authorities continue to monitor the coast and conduct searches as necessary.

Read the original reporting at Khaama Press

Reliability assessment

Single source provides direct on-record attribution with concrete, checkable details from named official Mojtaba Shams (head of rescue committee in Nowshahr), including specific location, victim ages, date, and circumstances

The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Khaama Press: "increased the vulnerability of many Afghan families", "growing concern", "difficult economic and social conditions" — these phrases frame the incident with mild advocacy and emotional context about migrant hardships rather than neutral reporting.

Independent web corroboration

An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.

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SocietyAfghan migrants, Iran, Caspian Sea, Nowshahr, drowning

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