NN Online:
At least 249 people lost their lives and 553 others were injured in 257 road accidents across Bangladesh during the 11-day Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, according to a report released by the Road Safety Foundation (RSF) on Monday.
The report, based on national and regional media coverage, revealed that 41 women and 59 children were among the deceased. The actual number of injuries during the holidays was reportedly over 2,000, though RSF confirmed 553 based on verifiable reports.
Motorcycles were involved in 114 crashes, resulting in 106 fatalities—accounting for 42.57% of total deaths. Additionally, 39 pedestrians (15.66%) and 32 vehicle drivers or assistants (12.85%) were among those killed.
The RSF also reported six waterway accidents that killed 13 people and injured 15, while 12 people died and eight were injured in 17 railway accidents.
Vehicle types involved in the crashes included 29.16% motorbikes, 19.11% buses, 21.56% locally operated vehicles, 13% pick-up and cargo vans, 7.35% private cars and microbuses, and 5.14% battery-run human haulers.
Most accidents occurred on regional roads (38.13%) and national highways (33.85%), followed by other roads (16.73%) and minor roads (11.28%).
Dhaka division saw the highest number of fatalities (28.79%), while Sylhet reported the lowest (2.72%). In the capital alone, at least 62 people died in 74 reported accidents.
