A Survivor’s Story: Five Years After the Kabul Airport Tragedy

Five years after the suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport, a survivor shares her challenges as a refugee in Pakistan and calls for help from international organizations.

The Life of a Victim’s Family: Five Years After the Kabul Airport Attack

A woman who lost her husband in the suicide bombing on August 26, 2021, at Kabul Airport describes how her life and that of her four children drastically changed after that tragic day. Speaking to Radio Free Europe under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of her situation, she recounted how her husband worked in a real estate office and how their family decided to leave the country following the collapse of the republic’s government.

On the day of the attack, she remembers going to the airport with her family in hopes of fleeing Afghanistan. “He only got hit by one bullet, and as I tried to stop his bleeding with my scarf, I saw a huge wound on his left shoulder,” she recalled, noting that her husband was injured in the blast and later succumbed to his wounds.

Life’s Challenges in Pakistan

After losing her husband, the woman and her children moved to Pakistan, where they have received no assistance from international organizations over the past five years. She expressed worry for her children, lamenting that they have been unable to attend school and are living in dire conditions: “Unfortunately, no organization has reached out to me. We live in Pakistan, and the situation is very difficult.”

Speaking about her children, she said, “My oldest is now 17 years old, and my other children haven’t been to school either. Life is extremely tough for me.” Economic hardships and the lack of a steady income have made life a constant struggle for this family.

Consequences of the Suicide Attack and Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The Kabul airport bombing occurred during the chaotic days of the U.S. troop withdrawal and the evacuation of Afghan partners, resulting in the deaths of at least 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. servicemen. Prosecutors in the U.S. stated that the trials for those responsible for the attack are still ongoing.

This woman is appealing to countries and international organizations to help her escape the dire circumstances faced by her family: “Please save me and my children from Pakistan. We are in very difficult conditions.”