At least 204 people have been killed and more than 600 injured in 264 road accidents during the ongoing eight-day Eid-ul-Fitr travel period, according to the Road Safety Foundation (RSF), highlighting persistent safety risks on highways during one of the country’s busiest travel seasons.
The data, compiled from March 17 to March 24 (noon), remain preliminary, as Eid travel is still ongoing and the number of casualties may continue to rise until March 28, RSF officials said.
The organization is expected to release its final report on April 4 at a press conference.
RSF Executive Director Saidur Rahman told Dhaka Tribune that the figures were compiled from multiple sources, including newspapers, hospital admission records, social media, police stations and the organization’s own field data.
“All figures are verified by the foundation,” he said, adding: “New accidents are occurring every day, so the number of casualties may rise further.”
He also noted that the number of accidents could have been even higher if motorcycle use had not declined amid recent fuel shortages.
Several fatal incidents were recorded during the Eid period.
On the second day of Eid alone, 28 people were killed in road accidents.
On Eid day, at least 10 people were killed and 25 injured in separate accidents across eight districts.
RSF data from the previous Eid-ul-Fitr holidays show that 249 people were killed and 553 injured in 257 accidents over an 11-day period.
Among the fatalities last year were 41 women and 59 children.
Although this year’s data cover a shorter period so far, the rising number of accidents suggests that road safety challenges remain acute during major holiday travel seasons.
With Eid travel still continuing, RSF officials warned that the final casualty figures are likely to increase.
The organization said the situation reflects ongoing weaknesses in traffic management, enforcement and road safety awareness, particularly during periods of mass movement across the country.
The final report, expected in early April, is likely to provide a clearer picture of the full scale of road accidents during this year’s Eid travel period.
