As every year, a massive effort was undertaken to reduce accidents by COE. Yet, the Center of Emergency Operations announced 23 deaths and 75 traffic accidents in its third of four bulletins recapping the Easter Week vacation sojourn — from Thursday to Sunday.
The Center of Emergency Operations (COE) had prepared as usual for the Easter Week holidays. There were 50,000 volunteers working to prevent accidents of any type over the long weekend. Their job was to ensure the safety of families at swimming places along rivers, at the beaches, and on the highways and expressways of the entire country.
This year’s Holy Week, which extended from Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday, is expected to be less than the 27 deaths in 2024, reflecting the damper on vacationing spirits left by the horrific tragedy at the Jet Set Club, just days prior. The latest fatality of the roof collapse at the nightclub announced on Thursday, brought the toll to 232 victims.
The great work of the COE was focused at nearly 3,500 aid stations, which were serviced by 600 ambulances, and included 321 fast-response teams. Traffic was assisted with 53 tow trucks and two dozen mobile workshops. There were 27 naval units patrolling the waters and even three helicopters patrolled the skies.
However, given the volume of traffic, and the fact that every highway was experiencing high levels of usage, there were accidents, and some of these were fatal. The first bulletin issued by the COE reported 25 accidents and four fatalities. Twenty-four hours later, the second bulletin reported 66 accidents and a new total of 15 fatalities. The bulletin of Sunday, 20 April 2025 reported 23 deaths, most in traffic accidents. The COE reported 160 traffic accidents with numerous injured.
The COE is expected to issue a final bulletin on Monday, 21 April at 11am recapping the happenings for the safety campaign period that concluded at 6pm on Sunday, 20 April 2025.
Most of the fatalities were traffic accidents involving motorcycles. There was one drowning of a minor, and by Saturday, according to retired general Juan Manuel Mendez, the perennial head of the COE, over 700 persons had been treated in hospitals around the country. Sadly, several minors were treated for intoxication.
According to Mendez, the number of fatalities is well below previous years, and more in tune with normal traffic and everyday activities.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
El Dia
Hoy
Hoy
El Caribe
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Diario Libre
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Diario Libre
21 April 2025