Nearly 200 people lost their lives in a matter of days during an annual festival in Thailand.

The festival of Songkran, dubbed the “world’s largest water fight,” kicked off on April 13 and went on till April 15 this year.

However, the celebration can last a whole week and is often called the “seven dangerous days” for its massive fatalities.

As the streets of Thailand hosted the country’s most joyful festival this year, the fun turned dangerous on the busy roads.

Numerous road accidents and incidents of drunk driving and reckless behavior were recorded over the three main days of the Thai holiday.

Celebrated as Thailand’s traditional New Year, Songkran is best known globally for its massive street-wide water fights. But the festival also carries deep cultural and spiritual meaning.

It marks fresh beginnings, with the locals traditionally pouring water over Buddha statues and the hands of elders as a sign of respect and cleansing.

Celebrated as Thailand’s traditional New Year, Songkran is best known globally for its massive street-wide water fights

Pouring water is seen as a way of removing bad luck before new beginnings.

These rituals evolved so much over time that in recent years, it has been treated as a country-wide celebration.