Road fatalities across the Sylhet division continue to rise at an alarming rate, with at least 288 people losing their lives in 265 recorded traffic accidents during the first nine months of the current year (January to September). The crashes also left 630 people critically injured, raising severe concerns regarding regional highway safety.
The staggering statistics were released in a special report by the Sylhet division committee of 'Nirapad Sarak Chai' (NISCHA) on Thursday (October 22, 2026), coinciding with National Road Safety Day.
Monthly Fatality Breakdown
According to the NISCHA data, no month passed without tragic casualties on Sylhet's transport routes:
January to April: 25 died in 25 accidents in January, 32 in 32 accidents in February, and 32 in 29 crashes in March. April recorded 15 deaths across 19 accidents.
Deadly Spikes in May and August: The situation took a devastating turn in May and August. May witnessed 51 deaths in 42 crashes, while August saw 47 fatalities in 35 accidents. Together, these two months accounted for 98 deaths—nearly 34 percent of the total nine-month casualty figure.
June to September: 29 died in 29 accidents in June, 31 in 28 crashes in July, and 26 in 26 accidents in September.
Key Causes and Recommendations
The report cited excessive speeding, reckless overtaking, driver fatigue and carelessness, mechanical faults in unverified vehicles, and inadequate structural road safety measures as the primary drivers of these collisions.
Commenting on the crisis, Jahirul Islam Mishu, Co-Organizational Secretary of NISCHA Central Committee and Sylhet District President, urged immediate policy intervention: "To curb road carnage, we must strictly enforce traffic laws, restrict reckless speeding, and outlaw unroadworthy vehicles. Highway monitoring needs a complete overhaul. Ensuring road safety requires round-the-year commitment from the government, transport owners, drivers, and commuters alike."
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