Despite a larger deployment of volunteers for the “Conciencia por la Vida” (Awareness for Life) operation during the Easter Week break, the number of fatalities did not decrease. Instead, the death toll rose from 27 in 2024 to 32 in 2025, leaving a trail of lost lives and shattered dreams.
Motorcyclists topped the list of fatalities, followed by deaths due to alcohol and food poisoning, and drownings.
The holiday period claimed the lives of 32 individuals, during an operation involving 49,997 members of the Center for Emergency Operations (COE).
Of the total fatalities, 26 were the result of traffic accidents involving motorcycles. The remaining deaths included one pedestrian struck by a vehicle, three involving light vehicles, and two drownings.
This year’s figures represent an increase of five deaths compared to the previous year’s Easter Week, which recorded 27 fatalities. In 2024, 19 deaths were attributed to motorcycle accidents, four to being struck by vehicles, one to a light vehicle incident, and three to drowning, with a deployment of 49,723 volunteers.
Accidents on the rise
During the press conference announcing the final bulletin of the “Conciencia por la Vida, Semana Santa 2025” operation, COE director Juan Manuel Méndez reported a total of 212 traffic accidents, affecting at least 200 people. This figure is similar to the report from 2024.
Of the recorded incidents, approximately 187 involved motorcycles, 16 light vehicles, five SUVs, two pedestrians struck by vehicles, one bus, and one pickup truck.
According to Méndez, 85 accidents occurred on highways and roads, while 127 took place in urban areas. Ten traffic fatalities occurred within the operational area, and 20 outside of it.
Motorcycles accounted for 86.66% of the 30 traffic-related deaths both inside and outside the operation. Overall, motorcycles were involved in 81.25% of the total 32 fatalities reported during the Holy Week period.
Minors continue to appear on intoxication lists
Tragically, minors between the ages of 7 and 17 were again among those who suffered alcohol poisoning during the Easter Week break, a recurring issue in previous years.
According to the final 2025 bulletin, 587 people received medical attention for alcohol consumption, with at least 25 of those affected being minors.
In comparison, the 2024 Easter Week saw 473 individuals intoxicated by alcohol, including 30 minors aged between 10 and 17.
Regarding food poisoning, the National Health Service (SNS) reported that approximately 175 people received treatment for this cause. This is a slight increase from the 163 cases of food poisoning reported during the previous year’s Easter Week.
The provinces with the highest number of reported traffic accidents during the religious holiday were Santo Domingo with 14.1%, followed by San Cristóbal with 8%. Santo Domingo Este recorded 7%, San Pedro de Macorís 6.6%, the National District 6.1%, and Santo Domingo Oeste 4.7%.
According to the official report, the majority of incidents occurred between 6pm and 11:59pm. Of the total fatalities within and outside the operation, 63.3% occurred between 6pm and 5:59am.
Minister of Interior and Police Faride Raful said crime-wise, the Easter Week was safer than in 2024. In an X remark, she said that there was a drop in assaults of 34%. Cases of theft dropped from 312 in 2024 to 206 in 2025. Thefts dropped from 568 in 2024 to 297 in 2025.
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Listin Diario
Diario Libre
22 April 2025