A total of 51 people were killed and 65 others injured in 42 road accidents in Sylhet division in May, marking the highest monthly death toll from road crashes this year, according to a report.

Of the deceased, 20 were motorcycle riders or passengers.

The highest number of fatalities was reported in Sylhet district, while the lowest was recorded in Moulvibazar district.

Elderly man killed in Sylhet road crash

The Sylhet divisional committee of Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA) revealed the data in a report published on Saturday.

According to the report, 17 road accidents occurred in Sylhet district in May, leaving 21 people dead and 40 injured.

In Sunamganj, 13 accidents killed 16 people and injured 20 others. In Moulvibazar, five accidents left five people dead and two injured, while in Habiganj, seven accidents killed nine people and injured three others.

The report said nine people were killed in nine Eid-related road accidents. Altogether, 42 road accidents occurred in the division during the month.

It identified reckless driving, competition among drivers, overtaking, the failure of motorcyclists to use standard helmets, a lack of awareness among pedestrians, and flaws in road design as the major causes behind the high number of fatalities.

Zahirul Islam Mishu, joint organising secretary of NISCHA's central committee, said the report was prepared based on information gathered from five local newspapers, online news portals, two national dailies, presumed unreported incidents, and data collected by NISCHA sub-branches in Sylhet.

The report also said that in April, 15 people were killed and 58 injured in 19 road accidents across Sylhet division.