Forty-eight people have died in road accidents in the past three days in Malaysia as thousands of people travelled home before next week's Hari Raya festival, police said today.

Jamshah Mustapa, police public relations chief, said since a special safety campaign was launched Thursday, the number of deaths had totalled 48 from more than 800 traffic accidents.

Gridlocks

Police said the huge volume of holiday traffic caused gridlocks on major highways.

Muslims in Malaysia will celebrate the Hari Raya festival, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

During last year's festival, 253 perished in road accidents compared to 223 in 2001, Bernama said. - AFP