Tragedy shows need for new standards
The explosion of a fuel tanker at the customs office of the Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran has destroyed over 500 vehicles, leaving many injured, some fatally, and causing an estimated USD 40 million in damage. Sadly, this could have been avoided, the International Road Union (IRU) said.
Accidents such as this put a spotlight on the importance of international safety standards for road transport, such as the agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road (ADR Agreement), which set outs requirements for transporting goods such as fuel.
The severity of the damage caused was partly influenced by the large number of trucks waiting to cross the border. International standards also keep borders running more smoothly, reducing waiting times and congestion. (ben)