KHUJAND, September 3, 2009, Asia-Plus -- The branch of the Interior Ministry migration service for Sughd said on September 3 that the Sughd province has received the bodies of 129 of its residents, including 118 men, 10 women and one minor, from the Russian Federation since the beginning of this year.

Eight of them had been killed, 34 were killed in various accidents, 56 died of illnesses, twelve died in traffic accidents, nine committed suicide and the cause of death was unknown in 10 cases.

“In August alone, 25 bodies of the Sughd residents were returned from Russia,” said the source, “In July, 29 bodies of Sughd residents were returned.”

He added that over the first eight months of this year, 196,770 residents of Sughd, including 28,000 women and 10,000 minor, have traveled outside the country seeking better employment opportunities.  In 2008, 220,000 residents of the province traveled outside Tajikistan for seasonal work.