At least 23 killed in bus-truck collision near Kaziranga National Park
The head-on collision between a minibus and a container truck on National Highway 715 left 20 people injured.
At least 23 people were killed and 20 were injured after a minibus and a container truck collided head-on near Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday, according to Times Now, The Federal and Deccan Herald.
The accident occurred at Rangajan near Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range on National Highway 715. The minibus was travelling from Jorhat to Nagaon, while the container truck was heading towards Upper Assam.
An Executive Magistrate of Golaghat district told reporters that doctors confirmed 23 deaths and that the identities of the deceased are being ascertained. Two of the dead were women, and several were college students returning from classes.
Police said the minibus was running at a very high speed and violating restrictions imposed near the park. Officials suspect the accident happened when the minibus driver lost control and collided with the truck.
Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora, who is also the local MLA, reached the site to supervise relief and rescue operations. The injured were taken to Kohora Model Hospital, with many critically injured patients referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Bokakhat, and Golaghat.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was deeply distressed by the accident and stated that the priority is to ensure the injured receive medical care without delay.