200 killed in accidents during Eid holiday

A total of 200 people were killed and 754 others injured in accidents on roads, waterways and railways across the country during the Eid holiday, Bangladesh Passengers' Welfare Association said today.

The number of casualties came from 127 incidents of accidents that took place during the Eid holiday-- from July 1 to July 12, Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, secretary general of the organisation said at a programme at Jatiya Press Club around 11:00am.

Of the victims, 186 people were killed in road accidents, 11 in waterway accidents and three in railway accidents throughout the country, Mozammel quoting a report told reporters.

“The accidents occurred mainly for reckless driving,” he said adding, “Overloading, unfit vehicles and carelessness of the drivers are responsible for the accidents”.

The report was prepared based on different reports published on 14 national and regional newspapers and news agencies, Mozammel said at a programme at Jatiya Press Club around 11:00am.

“Weak traffic law and the bad condition of roads, among other are the reasons for accidents.”

Recommendations for avoiding such accidents

Sufficient measures need to be taken to regulate a speed limit of the vehicles, Mozammel said quoting the report.

A digital system should be used to check the fitness of the vehicles on the roads and highways, he added.