At least 23 killed in Assam bus and truck collision near Kaziranga
The accident occurred on Friday when a minibus collided with a container truck in the Golaghat district.
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, according to reports from Scroll and The Federal.
The head-on collision took place at Rangajan on National Highway 715. The minibus was travelling from Jorhat to Nagaon, while the container truck was heading towards Upper Assam, a senior police officer said.
An official quoted by PTI alleged the minibus was speeding in violation of restrictions imposed near the national park. A Golaghat district administration official said an investigation would be conducted to determine if the vehicles violated traffic norms, such as exceeding speed limits or carrying passengers beyond seating capacity.
The Executive Magistrate of Golaghat district told reporters that the identities of the deceased are being ascertained. Two of the dead were women, and several were college students returning from classes.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was deeply distressed by the accident and stated that the government would provide the best possible medical care to the injured. Minister Atul Bora was at the site to oversee relief and rescue operations.
The injured were taken to Kohora Model Hospital, with some critically injured patients referred to hospitals in Bokakhat, Golaghat, and Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.