Over 2,000 die in road accidents this year alone

Colombo, Dec 22 (Daily Mirror) - A total of 2,243 people have died in road accidents this year, police said.

They reported that 22,967 road accidents, including 2,141 fatal accidents, occurred between January 1 and December 13, 2024.

Police said 6,500 serious accidents and 9,127 minor accidents were reported during this period.

Meanwhile, at least 13 people were killed in accidents reported in the past 24 hours across several areas of the country.

These accidents were reported yesterda (21) in Hatton, Marawila, Ambalantota, Gampola, Hettiipola, Batticaloa, Mirihana, Kebithigollewa, and Seeduwa.

Three of the victims died when a bus plunged into a precipice in Maliappuwa, Hatton, leaving 46 people injured.

Two people were killed in an accident on the Southern Expressway between Baddegama and Pinnaduwa, and six others were injured in a collision between a van and a lorry.

Police urged the public to take necessary precautions to reduce accidents, especially during the festive season.