A surge in road accidents during the Eid-ul-Azha holiday period has left Bangladesh facing a tragic toll. According to a new report from the Road Safety Foundation (RSF), at least 312 people lost their lives and 1,057 were injured in road accidents nationwide between June 3 and June 14. The death toll marks a sharp 29% increase compared to last year, averaging 26 deaths per day.

Motorcycles, Buses Among Most Involved Vehicles

The RSF report highlights that motorcycles were involved in over a third of all fatal crashes, with 107 out of 312 deaths linked to motorcycle accidents. Buses, pick-up vans, and battery-run vehicles were also frequently involved. The analysis, based on national media and RSF data, found that national highways accounted for nearly 40% of all accidents.

Women and Children Among the Victims

Of the 312 fatalities, 47 were women and 63 were children. Additionally, 44 pedestrians and 51 drivers or their assistants lost their lives. Road, rail, and waterway accidents all contributed to the total, with the RSF reporting 10 deaths from waterway incidents and 21 from railway-related accidents.

Dhaka Division Hit Hardest

Dhaka division recorded the highest number of casualties, making up nearly 35% of all deaths, while Faridpur district had the most crashes of any district. Sylhet division saw the lowest rate of accidents.

Call for Urgent Road Safety Reforms

The RSF stressed the urgent need for tougher road safety rules, better law enforcement, and public awareness to curb fatalities, especially during busy travel periods like Eid.