Road death toll reaches 136 during Eid rush

Staff Reporter
At least 136 people have lost their lives in road accidents across Bangladesh during the first seven days of the Eid-ul-Azha holiday period, highlighting ongoing concerns over road safety as millions of people travelled to and from their hometowns to celebrate the festival.

The fatalities occurred between 24 and 30 May, according to the Road Safety Foundation (RSF), which reported that motorcycles were involved in a significant proportion of the crashes.

Around 70 motorcycle accidents were recorded during the period, accounting for a large share of the casualties.

Road safety campaigners have expressed concern that the death toll could rise further as holidaymakers begin returning to Dhaka and other major cities following the end of the seven-day public holiday.

On Sunday alone, at least five people, including a mother and her two daughters, were killed and more than 61 others injured in separate accidents in Netrakona, Kushtia, Chandpur and Faridpur. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The RSF noted that return journeys during Eid holidays have historically carried higher risks than outbound travel, as many people postpone their return until the final days of the break, leading to increased traffic congestion, speeding, risky overtaking and driver fatigue.

RSF Director Saidur Rahman said nearly 300 injured people were admitted to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor), commonly known as Pangu Hospital, on Eid day alone.

“Many people wait until the last moment to return to their workplaces before the holidays end. In their rush to get back, they often take risks, which contributes to accidents,” he said.

He also observed that traffic management and monitoring are generally strengthened before Eid but tend to receive less attention during the return phase of holiday travel.

Motorcyclists continued to account for a disproportionate number of casualties. Of the 22 people killed in road accidents on Eid day, 11 were motorcycle riders or passengers.

Several fatal motorcycle crashes were reported from Faridpur, Narsingdi, Patuakhali, Narail and Kushtia.

In Patuakhali’s Galachipa upazila, two 16-year-old boys were killed in a motorcycle crash after Eid prayers.

In Narsingdi’s Shibpur upazila, two young men died in a head-on collision involving motorcycles, while another sustained serious injuries.

Two motorcyclists were also killed in a head-on collision on the Dhaka-Barishal highway in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila.

In a separate incident in the district, a 55-year-old man lost his life in another road crash.

In Narail’s Lohagara upazila, 18-year-old Sabbir Gazi of Jashore died after his motorcycle collided with a bus.

Meanwhile, in Kushtia’s Kumarkhali upazila, three recently graduated SSC candidates were seriously injured when their motorcycle reportedly lost control and struck roadside barriers. Witnesses said the vehicle had been travelling at high speed.

One of the deadliest accidents during the period occurred in Gopalganj, where a passenger bus overturned after the driver reportedly attempted to avoid a motorcycle.

Five people, including a woman and a child, were killed and at least 25 others injured. Police said two of the victims were motorcyclists and three were bus passengers.

Another fatal incident took place on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway in Madaripur’s Shibchar upazila, where a 55-year-old passenger died after being thrown from a bus when the driver suddenly applied the brakes. Police said the victim fell through an open door and later succumbed to his injuries.

Children were also among the victims of holiday travel accidents. In Dinajpur’s Ghoraghat upazila, two four-year-old children were killed when a CNG-run auto-rickshaw collided with the rear of a stationary truck on the Dinajpur-Gobindaganj regional highway.

The children, identified as Abdullah of Joypurhat and Arifa Khatun of Dinajpur, had been travelling from Dhaka with their mothers to celebrate Eid in their villages. Both mothers were injured and admitted to hospital.

Road safety experts attributed the accidents to excessive speed, reckless overtaking, dangerous motorcycle riding, inadequate compliance with traffic regulations, unfit vehicles, weak enforcement and the operation of unauthorised vehicles during the Eid rush.

Recent rainfall has also damaged sections of highways and feeder roads in several areas, creating additional hazards for motorists.

Additional Inspector General of Police (Highway) Md Delwar Hossain Miah acknowledged that controlling vehicle speed remains a major challenge.
“If we could enforce stricter control over vehicle speeds, road safety would improve further,” he said.

With offices, banks and businesses reopening after the holiday, millions of travellers are expected to return to major cities.

Road safety campaigners have urged authorities to strengthen highway patrols, enforce speed limits and improve monitoring of public transport operators to help prevent further loss of life during the return journey.