Overdose deaths doubled last year

The minister of home affairs said yesterday that 226 persons died as a result of crime, overdoses, occupational, traffic or other accidents in the past three years.

Figures tabled by the minister, Dr Tonio Borg, show that there were 12 murder victims in 1999 compared to six in the year 2000 and seven last year. In contrast, deaths from overdoses have risen from six each in 1999 and 2000 to 11 last year. The number of suicides last year rose to 26 from 23 in 1999 and 21 in 2000. Traffic accidents killed 19 last year, compared to 14 and 15 in the previous two years.

Fatal accidents at workplaces dropped to one last year from five each in 1999 and 2000. Other accidents claimed 13 lives in 1999, 21 in 2000 and 15 last year.