About twenty children have died of an unidentified sickness outbreak in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, according to Hafiz Rashid, the provincial director of communications and culture.

According to the authorities, the affected kids passed away over the last several days in the Baghran neighbourhood.

Some affected people, including children, have been receiving medical treatment at a local health centre.

However, the official Hafiz noted that the “reason for the outbreak of the disease could be drinking contaminated water”.

The lack of infrastructure facilities including health centres and access to potable water in Afghanistan’s far-flanged areas has made local villagers prone to death due to curable diseases.