23 killed in bus-truck collision near Kaziranga National Park in Assam
At least 20 people were injured after a minibus and a container truck collided on National Highway 715 on Friday.
At least 23 people were killed and 20 others were injured after a minibus and a container truck collided near Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday, according to The Federal and PTI.
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 said the identities of the deceased are being ascertained. Among the dead were two women and several college students who were returning from their classes.
A senior official stated that the minibus was running at a very high speed and violating restrictions imposed near the park. It is suspected the driver lost control before the collision.
Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka said senior civil and police officials rushed to the spot for rescue operations. Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora also reached the site to oversee relief efforts.
The injured were taken to Kohora Model Hospital, with many critically injured being referred to hospitals in Bokakhat, Golaghat, and Jorhat Medical College and Hospital. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was deeply distressed by the accident.