At least 26 killed in Assam minibus and truck collision
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia for the deceased and injured following the head-on collision near Kaziranga.
At least 26 people were killed and several others injured when a minibus collided head-on with a container truck on National Highway 715 near Kaziranga in Assam on Friday. The accident occurred at Rangajan, near the Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range of Golaghat district, according to The Times of India.
The minibus was travelling from Jorhat towards Guwahati when it hit the truck. The collision, which involved a vehicle carrying around 40 passengers, left the minibus completely damaged. The victims included college students.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased person. He also announced Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government's priority is to ensure proper medical care for the injured. Cabinet Minister Atul Bora, who reached the site to oversee relief, said the impact suggested the minibus may have been speeding, though the exact circumstances will emerge during an investigation.
The injured were initially taken to Kohora Model Hospital, with 13 being referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for further treatment. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also extended condolences to the families of the victims.