13,409 killed in road, rail, waterway, air accidents in 17 months
Staff Reporter :
A total of 13,409 people have been killed in road, rail, waterway and air accidents during the 17 months of this interim government, according to a report of road safety organization ‘Save the Road’ released this year at a press conference held at Bangladesh Crime Reporters’ Association (CRAB) auditorium.
The organization noted a sharp rise in unregulated vehicles, with nearly 200,000 motorcycles and more than 500,000 illegal battery-powered rickshaws added to the roads during this time.
Shanta Farzana, Secretary General of Save the Road presented the data as keynote speaker.
The report was prepared under the supervision of Save the Road Chairman Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Founder Momin Mehedi, Secretary General Shanta Farzana, Vice Chairpersons Bikash Roy and Sonia Dewan Priti, and Organizing Secretary Mahidul Mallik, along with members of the organization’s research cell. They have also addressed the press conference.
According to the organization, data was compiled from 17 national daily newspapers, 20 TV channels, 22 online news portals, and verified information from local eyewitnesses and Save the Road volunteers.
During this period, 58,491 people were injured and 12,694 lost their lives.
According to Save the Road’s claims, due to the failure to establish police booths or watch towers every 3 kilometers, and negligence in duty by highway police and district-upazila level police and administration, 411 incidents of robbery occurred on roads over the last 17 months. In these attacks, 257 people were injured and 2 people were killed.
Additionally, 825 incidents of sexual harassment of women and 15 rape cases occurred on waterways, roads, and railways; most of which, according to eyewitnesses and Save the Road volunteers, were never reported to police stations.
On waterways, taking advantage of negligence by the Coast Guard and river police, robberies increased compared to previous years. In 216 robbery incidents, 188 people were injured and 1 person was killed.
Furthermore, incidents of snatching and mugging on roads, railways, and waterways have been increasing continuously. Over the past 17 months, more than 17,412 snatching incidents occurred nationwide, according to the report.
Save the Road stated that between August 2024 and December 2025, widespread traffic chaos, disregard for traffic laws and reckless driving led to 57,796 road accidents nationwide.
According to the report, 13,823 motorcycle accidents took place during the period while 2,638 killed and 13,832 injured. Around 21,631 accidents took place due to battery-powered auto-rickshaws, Nosimon, Korimon, pickups and similar vehicles. In these accidents, 3,648 people were killed while 23,603 injured.
A total of 3,784 people have been killed 12,746 bus accidents (due to speeding, overworking drivers for 12-20 hours without rest, and violation of traffic laws) while 11,697 injured.
In 8,968 truck and heavy vehicle accidents (speeding and overloading) 2,624 people were killed while 9,359 injured. Most victims were pedestrians or local residents. The report also highlighted serious law-and-order issues. Due to the absence of police booths or watchtowers every three kilometers and alleged negligence by highway police and local administrations, at least 411 robbery incidents occurred on roads in 17 months leaving two lives and 257 injured.
During the period, 825 incidents of harassment of women occurred across road, rail and water transport while 15 rape incidents were reported, many of which never reached police stations. On waterways, 216 robbery incidents were recorded leaving a live and 188 injured.
Nationwide, more than 17,412 snatching incidents were reported during the same period. In waterways, accidents: 2,052; injured: 1,754; killed: 187; and missing: 46. In railways, accidents: 1,106; injured: 1,076; and killed: 492. In airways, one major accident killed 36, and injured 172. Additionally, 17 airport staff faced harassment and abuse while on duty.