Punjab Road Accidents Claim 410 Lives in February 2026, Rescue 1122 Data Reveals
LAHORE: A staggering 410 people were killed and 37,938 others sustained serious injuries in road traffic crashes across Punjab during February 2026, according to official data released by the Emergency Services Department, commonly known as Rescue 1122. The figures, which highlight a severe public safety crisis, were disclosed during a monthly operational performance review meeting chaired by Secretary Emergency Services Department, Dr Rizwan Naseer.
Emergency Response Statistics for February 2026
During the month under review, Rescue 1122 responded to a total of 187,761 emergencies across the province, providing critical assistance to 189,869 victims. The breakdown of these emergencies reveals a diverse range of incidents:
- Medical Cases: 125,152
- Road Traffic Crashes: 37,938
- Falls and Slips: 6,380
- Delivery Cases: 4,927
- Crime-Related Incidents: 3,320
- Fire Emergencies: 2,085
- Occupational Injuries: 1,968
- Animal Rescue Operations: 1,121
- Electric Shocks: 563
- Burn Cases: 451
- Drowning Incidents: 43
- Structural Collapses: 34
- Miscellaneous Operations: 3,779
Of particular concern, the 37,938 road traffic crashes resulted in 19,773 serious injuries alongside the 410 fatalities, underscoring the devastating impact of these incidents on communities.
District-Wise Analysis of Road Accidents
The data provided a detailed district-wise breakdown, revealing significant disparities in accident rates across Punjab. Lahore emerged as the most affected city, recording 6,961 road crashes that led to 40 deaths. Other major urban centers also reported high numbers:
- Faisalabad: 2,690 accidents
- Multan: 2,486 accidents
- Gujranwala: 2,044 accidents
- Sheikhupura: 1,433 accidents
- Rawalpindi: 1,186 accidents
The remaining 21,138 crashes occurred in other districts of Punjab, indicating a widespread issue beyond metropolitan areas.
Fire Incidents Across Major Cities
In addition to road accidents, the data highlighted fire emergencies as another critical concern. Major cities reported higher numbers of fire incidents, with Lahore leading at 372 cases. Other cities followed:
- Faisalabad: 180 fire cases
- Rawalpindi: 141 fire cases
- Rahim Yar Khan: 110 fire cases
- Gujranwala: 72 fire cases
- Multan: 69 fire cases
These figures emphasize the need for enhanced fire safety measures and public awareness campaigns.
Operational Review Meeting and Leadership Concerns
The monthly operational performance review meeting was held on Monday, with Dr Rizwan Naseer expressing grave concern over the rising number of road accidents and fatalities. The meeting was attended by Directors of Emergency Services, heads of various wings, and the Provincial Monitoring Officer, while District Emergency Officers (DEOs) participated via video link.
During the session, DEOs presented performance reports from their respective districts, highlighting major emergencies, challenges, case studies, lessons learned, and initiatives undertaken. This collaborative approach aims to identify root causes and implement effective strategies to reduce accident rates and improve emergency response times.
The data underscores an urgent call for comprehensive road safety reforms, including stricter enforcement of traffic laws, public education on safe driving practices, and infrastructure improvements across Punjab to prevent further loss of life.
