Death toll rises in Assam Kaziranga road accident
At least 24 people died after a minibus collided head-on with a container truck near Kaziranga National Park on Friday.
A head-on collision between a passenger minibus and a container truck near Kaziranga National Park in Assam's Golaghat district killed at least 24 people on Friday, according to Moneycontrol and NENow.
The accident occurred at Rangajan near Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range on National Highway 715. The minibus was carrying approximately 40 passengers, including several college students, when it crashed into the truck.
Police suspect the minibus was travelling at high speed and violated traffic restrictions near the park before the driver lost control. The impact was severe enough to crush the minibus and trap passengers inside.
The deceased include two women, according to reports cited by PTI. An Executive Magistrate of Golaghat district stated that the death toll was rising quickly as doctors confirmed the fatalities.
Injured passengers were initially taken to Kohora Model Hospital, with some being moved to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Bokakhat, and Golaghat for further treatment. At least 20 people were injured in the crash.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his distress over the tragedy and said the government is focusing on providing medical care to the injured. Cabinet Minister Atul Bora was at the scene to oversee relief efforts.