Holiday exodus death toll tops 900
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Indonesia | National | Mon, August 27 2012, 5:36 PM
More than 900 people were killed on the road during this year’s Idul Fitri mass exodus, the police’s 2012 Ketupat Operation report revealed on Monday.
"The number of traffic accidents recorded during the operation has reached 5,233, in which 908 people got killed," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Boy Rafli Amar said on Monday as quoted by Antara News Agency.
"The accidents were mainly caused by driver negligence, high-speeds and careless overtaking," he added.
More than 1,500 people sustained severe injuries, while 5,139 suffered from minor bruises.
"Material losses recorded during the 16 days of the operation amounted to at least Rp 11.8 billion (US$1.24 million)," Boy said.
On Sunday alone, the police recorded 227 traffic accidents, 39 people died, while 67 people were severely injured and 226 suffered minor injuries. The material losses amounted to Rp 383.47 million, Boy said.
"Other factors, such as carelessness and physical weakness caused by long-distance travel, are also factors causing the accidents. We call on people to be more careful," he said.(fzm/swd)
