Idul Fitri exodus death toll hits 144

Deadly

Deadly Accident: People look at a Suzuki minivan that was involved in a traffic accident in Sukoharjo, Central Java on Monday, killing four passengers. – Antara/Puput Ady Sukarno

The death toll from traffic accidents on highways used by homegoing holiday revelers across the country has reached 144, police say.

National Police deputy chief for operations Insp. Gen. Soenarko said Thursday there had beent 743 traffic accidents from Sept. 3 to Sept. 8 nationwide, killing 144 people and wounding 579 others. Most of the victims were holidaymakers riding motorcycles, Soenarko added.

"The accidents happened mostly on the Java north coast road and alternative routes,” he said as quoted by Antara state news agency.

During the Idul Fitri exodus last year there were 1,646 traffic accidents across the country, claiming 702 lives and injuring 2,556 others.

Soenarko said the police would help ease traffic and escort motorcyclists on their way back from their hometowns to their places of residence after the Idul Fitri festival.