El Salvador records rise in Easter holiday deaths and traffic injuries
During the Easter holiday, Civil Protection authorities in El Salvador reported a troubling increase in casualties. A total of 27 deaths were documented from April 9 to 13, a figure that marks an 80 percent rise from the same period in 2021. Civil Protection director Luis Alonso Amaya noted that several crashes were labeled as extremely serious, contributing to a growing trend in road crash injuries. The surge is interpreted as a reflection of higher mobility and more activity at recreation sites as families take advantage of the holiday break.
Examining the events of those six days, the report shows 27 deaths, with 23 of them resulting from traffic accidents. This compares to 15 deaths during the same Easter window in 2021, highlighting a significant uptick in road-related fatalities. The assessment points to the additional 12 deaths as the main driver of the dramatic increase. These numbers underscore the heightened risk that comes with holiday traffic and crowding at beaches, parks, and other leisure destinations.
Amaya commented on the broader context by noting that last year’s holiday period featured fewer crowds at beaches, amusement parks, rivers, and lakes. He added that about 150 casualties have been registered during the current period, representing roughly an 8.7 percent rise from 138 casualties recorded in 2021. Rescues have also climbed sharply, rising by about 103 percent—from 28 to 57—along coastlines and river areas where private sector workers tend to travel during vacation times. The message is clear: more people in busy spots translates into more emergencies that rescue teams must respond to promptly.
In terms of causes, the losses include a total of 232 traffic-related fatalities for the year so far, down slightly from 263 in 2021. The Easter period saw a spike in fires, with 79 incidents compared to 111 in 2021. Authorities also reported that 44 drivers were found operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol, a factor that is often associated with higher-risk driving. Traffic officials confirmed that those drivers would be held to account for dangerous behavior behind the wheel.
Looking at the broader year, El Salvador logged 5,002 road accidents in 2022, a decrease of about 8.3 percent from 5,454 in 2021. The daily average for fatalities stood at around 29, with 2,962 recorded deaths for the year. These figures illustrate a downward trend in overall road incidents but the Easter period shows how quickly risky behavior during holidays can reverse such gains.
Analysts attribute the seasonal rise to the flow of people relocating to recreation centers, beaches, hill areas, and cultural events during Holy Week. With private sector workers taking time off on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, there is a noticeable surge in visitors to tourist sites and inland attractions. The combination of increased traffic, crowded venues, and travel at peak times creates a fragile balance for public safety services and emergency responders, who must adapt to fluctuating demand during the holiday season. The authorities emphasize the importance of heightened vigilance, sober driving, and consistent enforcement of traffic regulations to reduce preventable injuries and fatalities in future holiday periods. Attribution: El Salvador Civil Protection authorities, with ongoing monitoring and reporting from the crisis response teams. Investigative updates and official summaries are provided by government agencies and recorded emergency statistics.