Kathmandu: Road accidents have claimed 1,233 lives in the past six months, marking an increase in fatalities compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Despite a decrease in the number of accidents, the death toll has risen due to careless driving and non-compliance with traffic rules.

In the first half of the fiscal year 2024/25, 11,338 road accidents were reported, leading to 1,233 deaths. This is higher than the 1,149 deaths recorded in 12,856 accidents during the same period last year. The Ministry noted that while the number of accidents has decreased in Gandaki, Kathmandu Valley, and Karnali, the death toll has gone up. However, in Madhes Province and Bagmati, the fatality rate has declined despite an increase in accidents.

Suicide Cases Continue to Be a Major Concern
The report also highlights 3,134 suicide cases in six months, a slight decrease from 3,457 cases recorded in the same period last year. The highest number of suicides (628) occurred between October 17 and November 15, followed by 471 cases between November 16 and December 15, and 425 cases between December 16 and January 13, 2025.

Cybercrime on the Rise
The Ministry also reported a surge in cybercrime, with 10,776 complaints filed in the last six months. The most commonly misused social media platform for criminal activities is Telegram, accounting for 1,187 complaints, followed by Facebook (1,098), Instagram (731), and TikTok (153).

In the previous fiscal year (2023/24), 19,730 cybercrime cases were registered, showing a sharp rise from 9,013 cases in 2022/23. Authorities emphasize the need for stricter digital security measures to combat the growing threat of online crimes.