26 people die in minibus and truck collision near Kaziranga National Park
At least 20 others were injured in the head-on crash that occurred on Friday in Assam's Golaghat district.
At least 26 people, including college students, died and 20 others were injured when a Traveller minibus collided with a container truck near Kaziranga National Park on Friday, November 13. According to The News Mill, the accident took place in the afternoon at Rangajan on National Highway 715, near Hathikuli Tea Estate in Assam's Golaghat district.
The minibus was heading towards Nagaon when it hit the truck, which was travelling from the opposite direction. Golaghat senior superintendent of police Swapnanil Deka stated that early findings suggest the minibus was speeding and had broken traffic rules set for the Kaziranga area. Police believe the driver may have lost control of the vehicle, though the exact cause is still being determined.
Records show the minibus had a history of traffic violations, including 12 previously paid challans totalling Rs 38,500 and one unpaid penalty of Rs 4,000. Local residents and police assisted in rescuing passengers trapped in the damaged vehicle.
The injured were moved to Kohora Model Hospital, with some being transferred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for serious injuries. Assam minister Atul Bora visited the site to oversee relief efforts.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his distress over the tragedy, stating that the scale of the loss had shaken everyone and offering support to the grieving families. Authorities have started an investigation into the suspected overspeeding and traffic rule violations.