9 killed during Galungan festivity in Indonesia's Bali

JAKARTA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 9 people died in series of traffic accidents during the conduction of Hindu's Galungan festival in Indonesia's tourist destination island of Bali, Bali police spokesperson said on Saturday. 

Bali province police spokesperson Gde Sugianyar said that the fatalities figure came up from 11 traffic accidents during the festival that was held from October 14 to 15. 

According to Sugianyar, the figure was the highest if compared to that of in the previous years. Besides dead victims, the accidents also left three people severely wounded and six others suffered light injuries. 

"Most of the accidents committed by motorists who were not using safety helmet during the ride," Sugianyar was quoted by the Antaranews agency as saying. 

Most victims were wearing Balinese traditional outfit to celebrate the festivities while they rode the motorbikes, he added. 

He said that the need to wear helmet should be implanted in the minds of Balinese as most of them reluctant to use helmets when they are in traditional outfits for the festival. 

Balinese feared that using helmets would damage their traditional headwears. 

Sugianyar called on motorists to use helmets if the situation is possible. 
Regarding the festival, Bali police tolerated those with traditional outfits to ride motorbikes on public roads without using helmet.