At least 188 killed during Somgkran Festival in Thailand

 At least 188 people were killed and 2,786 others were injured in road accidents in Thailand from April 11 to 15, the first five days of the Thai traditional Songkran Festival holiday, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on April 16.

 On April 15 alone there were 443 road accidents, resulting in 40 deaths and 470 injuries, according to the Department.

 The department blamed speeding and alcohol for most of the accidents.

 Songkran Festival, the traditional Thai new-year celebrations which are famous for spraying water, fell on April 13-17 this year. Many Thais have been living or entering cities since early this week.

 Hundreds of people are killed each year in road accidents during the Songkran festive. Motorcycles are involved in most of these accidents, followed by pick-up trucks.

 

VOVNews/Xinhua