'World’s largest water fight': 191 killed in 3 days of Thailand’s Songkran festival

At slightest 191 radical were killed successful roadworthy accidents successful Thailand successful the archetypal 3 days of the country’s yearly Songkran festival, wide known arsenic the “world’s largest h2o fight”, marking a grim commencement to the celebrations this year.According to the New York Post, the Thai New Year festival, typically marked by week-long h2o festivities symbolising renewal has been overshadowed by a surge successful roadworthy mishaps, injuries and fatalities. Official information shows that 951 accidents and 911 injuries were reported during this period.Despite authorities efforts, including roadworthy information campaigns, stricter enforcement of drunk driving laws and accrued constabulary checkpoints, the decease toll has remained high.

Authorities said 51 radical died connected the archetypal time of celebrations alone.Speeding emerged arsenic the starring origin of fatalities, accounting for conscionable nether 42 per cent of cases, followed by drunk driving astatine 27.4 per cent. Officials besides flagged risky behaviour specified arsenic not wearing helmets arsenic a large contributor.The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation noted that “The highest fig of accidents occurred betwixt 3.01pm and 6.00pm.”

Songkran triggers large-scale question crossed Thailand, with millions leaving large cities specified arsenic Bangkok to instrumentality to their hometowns, adding to roadworthy congestion and mishap risks. The festival play is often referred to arsenic the “seven unsafe days” owed to the spike successful roadworthy casualties.The festival, which is expected to gully astir 500,000 planetary visitors and make 30.4 cardinal baht successful revenue, besides saw instrumentality enforcement action, with 7 French tourists arrested for allegedly causing a nationalist nuisance by blocking postulation during celebrations.Data from the Road Accident Victims Protection Company shows that Thailand records an mean of 38 roadworthy deaths per time done the year, indicating a crisp emergence during Songkran.According to the World Health Organization, Thailand ranks among the astir unsafe countries for roadworthy crashes among subordinate nations.