In the end, a total of 63 people lost their lives in road accidents since the start of the Holy Week special traffic operation on March 14th that ended at midnight last night.

Sixty others were injured, 26 seriously.

Acting-Interior minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba will give a press conference at noon today to flesh out the statistics.

Given that 103 people were killed last Easter, this year's total represents a significant decline of 39% (-40).

The worst day was Sunday, March 16th, when nine people died.

Yesterday, which was a public holiday in six regions - Cataluña, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, Navarra, the Basque country and La Rioja - the most serious hold-ups for returning holidaymakers were experienced on the outskirts of the provincial capitals of Cataluña and the Basque country.

Holy Week traffic road deaths down 44 on last year
By: thinkSPAIN
Monday, March 24, 2008

Fifty-five people have died in 46 fatal road accidents on Spanish roads since the start of the Holy Week special traffic operation on March 14th. Forty others have been injured, fourteen seriously. While still a chilling set of statistics, the good news is that the total is well down on last year when ninety-nine people were killed over the same period.

Given that today is a public holiday in six regions - Cataluña, the Valencian Community, the Balearics, Navarra, the Basque country and La Rioja - the final total will remain provisional until midnight tonight.

With wintry conditions in northern and central parts complicating the return home for thousands of Holy Week vacationers yesterday, the most serious hold-ups were reported on the outskirts of major provincial capitals such as Segovia, Toledo and Ciudad Real.