A total of 563 people lost their lives and 1,261 others were injured in road, rail, and waterway accidents across Bangladesh in August, according to a report by the Bangladesh Passenger Welfare Association.
The report, released on Wednesday (September 3) and signed by the association’s Secretary General Md. Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, states that 497 road accidents claimed 502 lives during the month. Rail accidents accounted for 34 deaths in 34 incidents, while 27 people were killed in 21 waterway accidents, with 22 others injured and 13 reported missing. In total, 552 accidents across all three modes of transport resulted in 563 fatalities and 1,261 injuries.
Motorcycle accidents alone accounted for 165 incidents, causing 176 deaths and 144 injuries. These represent 33.19% of all accidents, 35.05% of deaths, and 11.68% of injuries during the month.
Regionally, Dhaka division recorded the highest number of road accidents with 132 incidents, resulting in 128 deaths and 333 injuries. Barisal division reported the fewest, with 15 accidents causing 14 deaths and 22 injuries.
The report also detailed the victims’ profiles in road accidents: 12 members of law enforcement agencies, 162 drivers, 82 pedestrians, 19 transport workers, 97 students, 11 teachers, 95 women, 42 children, one freedom fighter, one lawyer, three journalists, and 26 political activists. Among the deceased were one police officer, one army personnel, one fire service member, one freedom fighter, one lawyer, 142 drivers, 82 pedestrians, 73 women, 38 children, 51 students, seven transport workers, seven teachers, and 11 political activists.
