September 01, 2011
The carnage continued on Indonesia’s inundated roads on Idul Fitri on Wednesday with a further 33 deaths and 77 serious injuries.
The additional casualties during the annual holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan, takes the road toll from Aug. 23 to 433 deaths, 729 serious injuries and 1,864 minor injuries, Detik.com reported, citing information provided by the Ministry of Health.
The ministry has blamed the accidents largely on “reckless driving,” but also attributed the statistical increase — as much as a 140 percent on the same time period last year —to an improved monitoring system.
National Police estimate that some 15 million Indonesians had traveled to celebrate Idul Fitri in their hometowns this year.
The death toll is expected to continue to climb as travelers return home.
(x the JG)
do 1 sep 2011 - 7:27