At least 394 people were killed and 1,288 injured in 377 transport accidents across Bangladesh during the recent Eid-ul-Fitr travel period, according to the Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (BJKS).
The data was disclosed at a press conference on Monday morning at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium. The report, compiled by the organization's Road Accident Monitoring Cell, was based on an analysis of media reports.
Of the total incidents, 346 occurred on roads, claiming 351 lives and injuring 1,046 people. The figures show a significant increase compared to last year's Eid-ul-Fitr, when 315 road accidents killed 322 people and left 826 injured. Year-on-year, road accidents rose by 8.95 percent, fatalities increased by 8.26 percent, and injuries surged by 21 percent.
In addition to road crashes, 23 railway accidents resulted in 35 deaths and 223 injuries, while eight waterway accidents left eight dead, 19 injured, and three missing. During the same period, 2,178 road accident victims were admitted to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, commonly known as the Pongu Hospital.
Motorcycles accounted for the highest number of crashes. A total of 125 motorcycle accidents killed 135 people and injured 114, representing over 36 percent of all road accidents and nearly 38.5 percent of fatalities. In terms of vehicles involved, motorcycles made up 27.16 percent, followed by trucks and covered vans (17.73 percent), buses (16.22 percent), battery-run rickshaws (15.28 percent), private cars and microbuses (8.49 percent), locally made vehicles such as Nasimon-Karimon (7.73 percent), and CNG-run auto-rickshaws (7.35 percent).
Analysis shows that 43 percent of accidents occurred on national highways, 30 percent on regional highways, and 22 percent on feeder roads, highlighting the risks associated with long-distance travel during Eid.
Presenting the findings, Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury criticized the absence of civil society representation in official Eid transport management meetings. He alleged that pressure from bus owners' associations and transport labor federations, backed by politically aligned leaders, has limited the inclusion of voices advocating for passenger safety. As a result, relevant ministries and agencies failed to prioritize commuter concerns during the holiday travel management process.
The report underscores a persistent and worsening road safety crisis in Bangladesh, particularly during major holidays when travel demand spikes. Experts warn that without stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved infrastructure, and greater accountability among transport operators, such casualty figures are likely to continue rising. The findings serve as a stark reminder that ensuring safe travel during peak seasons like Eid remains a major policy and governance challenge.
