402 killed, 1,294 hurt in Eid road accidents: BJKS

A total of 402 people were killed and 1,294 others injured in road accidents during the Eid-ul-Azha travel period this year, according to a report by Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS).

The report, released on Sunday, said that 394 road accidents were recorded across the country between May 21 and June 4. When rail and waterway incidents are included, the total number of accidents rose to 442, resulting in 438 deaths and 1,340 injuries.

BJKS Secretary General Md Mozammel Haque Chowdhury presented the findings at a press briefing, saying urgent reforms are needed in Bangladesh’s transport sector to reduce fatalities and ensure safer travel during peak seasons like Eid.

The organisation noted that motorcycles remained the deadliest mode of transport, accounting for the highest share of accidents and fatalities during the period.

According to the report, 31 rail accidents caused 23 deaths, while 17 waterway incidents killed 13 people.

Compared to last year’s Eid period, road accidents increased by 3.95 percent, with fatalities rising by 3.07 percent and injuries by 9.47 percent.

The report also highlighted multiple systemic issues, including unregulated vehicle movement, poor road conditions, lack of enforcement, and excessive pressure on drivers, calling for both short- and long-term reforms in road safety management.