Bangladesh records 427 fatalities in 15-days of Eid travel

A staggering 427 people lost their lives and 1,194 others were injured in road, rail, and waterway accidents across Bangladesh during the 15-day Eid-ul-Azha travel period, according to a report by the Passenger Welfare Association of Bangladesh (PWAB).

The findings were revealed at a press conference held by the organisation at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Monday (June 16).

The report covers the period from May 31 — the beginning of the Eid pilgrimage — to June 14, when most people returned to work after the holidays.

According to the PWAB, there were 415 accidents across the country during this time, including 379 on the roads alone, which resulted in 390 deaths and 1,182 injuries. The majority of these incidents involved motorcycles, which the association identified as a major concern.

Compared to Eid-ul-Azha last year, road accidents have increased by 22.65 percent, fatalities by 16.07 percent, and injuries by a staggering 55.11 percent.

The PWAB identified nine key reasons behind the surge in accidents. These include fewer holidays before Eid leading to travel congestion, unregulated movement of auto-rickshaws on highways, and the operation of vehicles by unskilled and unlicensed drivers.

In light of these alarming figures, the association made 12 demands aimed at reducing casualties during holiday travel periods. Key among them are the implementation of a long-term national road safety plan, banning small and slow-moving vehicles from highways, and declaring a minimum four-day official holiday before Eid to reduce travel pressure.