At least 23 killed in Assam bus-truck collision near Kaziranga
College students are among the deceased after a minibus collided with a container truck on National Highway 715.
At least 23 people were killed and 20 others were injured after a minibus collided with a container truck near Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday, November 13. The accident occurred at Rangajan on National Highway 715 in the Golaghat district, according to reports from The Hindu and The Federal.
The minibus was travelling from Jorhat to Nagaon, while the container truck was heading towards Upper Assam. A senior police officer stated that the minibus was running at a very high speed, violating restrictions imposed near the national park. Officials suspect the driver lost control of the vehicle.
Among the deceased are several college students who were returning from their classes. An Executive Magistrate of Golaghat district said the identities of the dead are being ascertained. While some reports indicated the death toll could reach 24, other officials confirmed 23 deaths.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was deeply distressed by the accident and that the scale of the loss had shaken everyone. He stated that the government's priority is to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.
The injured were taken to Kohora Model Hospital, with critically injured persons referred to hospitals in Bokakhat, Golaghat, and Jorhat Medical College and Hospital. Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora was at the site to oversee relief and rescue operations.
A Golaghat district administration official said an investigation will be conducted to determine if the vehicles violated traffic norms, such as exceeding speed limits or carrying passengers beyond seating capacity.