Dhaka Division records most road accidents in February

A report by Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity says transport accidents across road, rail and waterways killed 477 people in last month

At least 477 people were killed and 1,197 injured in road, rail and waterway accidents across Bangladesh in February, according to a report by the road safety campaign group Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity.

The organisation recorded 488 accidents during the month, largely based on reports published in the media.

The findings were released in a statement signed by the group’s Secretary General Mozammel Haque Chowdhury on Friday.

Road accidents accounted for the vast majority of casualties, with 447 deaths and 1,181 injuries, the report said.

Railway accidents left 26 people dead and 11 injured, while six waterway accidents killed four people and injured five others.

The report also highlighted motorcycle accidents as a major concern.

According to the organisation, 151 motorcycle crashes resulted in 167 deaths and 137 injuries, accounting for 33.7 percent of total accidents and 37.36 percent of all fatalities during the month.

Among the country’s divisions, Dhaka recorded the highest number of casualties, while Barisal reported the lowest.

The report also noted that 42.63 percent of road accidents occurred on national highways.