`402 killed in 394 road accidents during eid journey`

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At least 402 people were killed and 1,294 others injured in 394 road accidents across the country during the 15 days before and after the Eid-ul-Adha holidays.

Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (Passenger Welfare Association), shared this information at a press conference held on Sunday (June 7) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

According to data collected by the organization, road accidents have increased by 3.95% compared to the previous Eid-ul-Adha. Along with this, the death toll rose by 3.07% and the number of injuries increased by 9.47%. This report was prepared based on accidents that occurred between May 21 and June 4.

The report also noted that during the same period, 23 people were killed and 30 injured in 31 railway accidents. Meanwhile, 13 people lost their lives and 16 others were injured in 17 waterway accidents.

In total, across roads, railways, and waterways, 438 people were killed and 1,340 injured in 442 accidents during these 15 days, the report stated.

Motorcycle Accidents Top the List
Once again, motorcycle accidents topped the list. Motorcycle-related incidents accounted for 38.83% of the total road accidents. During this period, at least 159 people were killed and 180 injured in 153 motorcycle accidents.

Among the casualties in road accidents were 80 drivers, 89 transport workers, 59 pedestrians, 64 women, 45 children, 66 students, 5 members of law enforcement agencies, 3 teachers, 1 doctor, 3 journalists, 1 engineer, and 4 political workers.

Speaking at the press conference, Mozammel Hoque Chowdhury said that a massive number of home-bound people travel during Eid. He emphasized that 10 to 12 days of monitoring is not enough to manage this immense pressure and reduce passenger suffering. He urged the government to overhaul the public transport system and implement short-, medium-, and long-term plans to curb accidents.

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