Santo Domingo.- Twenty people have died and 372 injured in the first phase of Operation Christmas Rebirth 2007-2008, which started on Saturday 22 and ended on Tuesday 25, Christmas day.

According to the Emergency Operations Center (COE), 19 of the victims died in road accidents and one of alcohol poisoning, in incidents that took place in the provinces of Santo Domingo, Sánchez Ramírez, Puerto Plata, Azua, La Vega and the National District.

Most of the incidents occurred on Saturday 22, with eight deaths, all as a result of traffic accidents.

A total of 148 traffic accidents were reported, involving 154 motorbikes and 63 vehicles, as well as 22 pedestrians.

Thirty-five thousand volunteers took part in the safety operation, with 1,235 rescue posts along the main avenues, roads and highways. Three helicopters and 75 ambulances were deployed.

Last year’s Christmas safety campaign saw a death toll of 38 with 942 injuries. This figure was 38% lower than in 2005 when 61 people were killed.