European tourist killed on road in Chagai

QUETTA: A European tourist met with a fatal accident after he was hit by a car in the Chagai district, close to the Iran-Afghanistan border.

According to Deputy Commissioner Chagai, Hussain Jan Baloch, the 28-year-old tourist, identified as Nuno Miguel Castanheira, hailed from Portugal. He entered Pakistan on a heavy bike via Iran.

As per deputy commissioner, along with the Portuguese tourist, two German tourists had also arrived in Chagai from Iran through the Taftan border. All three were riding heavy bikes and heading towards Quetta.

The deputy commissioner told Urdu News that a security team of Levies was accompanying the tourists in the vehicle when Castanheira’s motorcycle collided with a vehicle smuggling Iranian oil near the Yekmach locality

During the incident, the Portuguese tourist got injured and was immediately taken to the district headquarters hospital, Chagai. However, he succumbed to his injuries while being treated.

He said that his body will be sent to Quetta in a government ambulance, and the Portuguese embassy was being informed about the incident.

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An officer of the Levies force in Chagai, on the condition of anonymity, said that the car involved in the accident was carrying smuggled Iranian petrol, Chinese goods, and other items.

He further stated that traveling with Levies’ vehicles is typical for tourists on motorcycles. However, Castanheira was riding ahead of the Levies’ vehicle, and it was during this time that his motorcycle collided with the smuggler’s car coming from the opposite direction.

The case has been registered, and the driver of the vehicle has been arrested.

Who was Miguel Castanheira?

Nuno Miguel Castanheira, 28, had been sharing detailed accounts of his journey on Instagram and his website. His last post on Instagram featured an image taken in a desert area in Iran.

On 28th March, he had shared details of his campaign, stating that over the next two years, he would cover 85,000 kilometers on a motorcycle while traversing 50 countries.

He began his journey from Portugal on May 21 and had traveled to various countries in Europe, Turkey, and then arrived in Pakistan through Iran. India was his next destination, but unfortunately, in Balochistan, this journey became the last trip of his life.

Castanheira mentioned on his website that traveling and riding a motorcycle were his two greatest passions in life. He stated that he had embarked on the biggest adventure of his life and would spend the next two years solo-touring the world.

He expressed his desire to experience new cultures, languages, places, and savor different cuisines during his journey.