242 killed in Eid road accidents

242 killed in Eid road accidents

As many as 242 people have died in 201 different road accidents across Bangladesh between July 26 and August 7, travelling to or from their family homes in the country during the Eid-ul-Azha festival.

The latest figures were disclosed by Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity at a Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) press briefing on Sunday.

At least 331 people were injured in these accidents during the 13 days of rush Eid travels.

Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, secretary general of Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, said: “The total number of deaths and injuries caused by road accidents were compiled from newspaper reports.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there was less public transport this year. But the number of private cars and small vehicles carrying passengers were more this Eid and the number of road accidents involving private vehicles has increased this time.”

A total of 74 people were killed, 39 injured, and 17 remain missing in 33 accidents on waterways. Only one person was killed in one of four train-related accidents, the passengers’ welfare organization added.