RAWALPINDI: The three days of Eidul Azha witnessed a disturbing surge in road accidents across Rawalpindi district, claiming three lives and leaving 189 people injured in 167 separate crashes. Emergency officials said the alarming number of incidents highlighted ongoing concerns over reckless driving and road safety during major public holidays when traffic volumes increase significantly.

According to Rescue 1122, emergency teams remained on high alert throughout the Eid holidays and provided timely assistance to all victims. Of the injured, 84 sustained critical injuries while 102 suffered minor wounds. The majority of the accidents involved motorcycles and private vehicles, reflecting the growing risks faced by commuters on busy roads during festive periods.

Rescue officials revealed that most victims were men, with 157 males and 32 females affected in the crashes. A large proportion of those injured were between 11 and 40 years of age. Authorities attributed the accidents to speeding, careless driving, tyre blowouts and violations of traffic regulations, factors that continue to contribute to a high number of road casualties in the region.

Alongside traffic emergencies, Rescue 1122 responded to 46 fire incidents reported across the district during Eid. No casualties were recorded in any of the fire outbreaks due to swift emergency action. Firefighters successfully contained the blazes and prevented property losses estimated at nearly Rs19 million.

The emergency service also dealt with 10 forest fire incidents during the holiday period. Officials said short circuits, human negligence and other preventable causes were among the main reasons behind the outbreaks. Rescue teams launched rapid response operations to stop the fires from spreading and damaging surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, Murree continued to attract massive tourist traffic during Eid, with more than 75,000 vehicles entering the hill station since the start of the holidays. Despite the extraordinary influx, traffic flow remained largely smooth as over 200 traffic police personnel were deployed across key routes to manage congestion and ensure safe travel for visitors.