23 killed in bus-truck collision in Assam's Kaziranga
The accident occurred at Rangajan near Hathikuli Tea Estate in Kohora range on National Highway 715 when the passenger vehicle collided with the truck, a senior police officer said
At least 23 people were killed and 20 were injured in a head-on collision between a minibus and a container truck near Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday (November 13).
The accident occurred at Rangajan near Hathikuli Tea Estate in Kohora range on National Highway 715 when the passenger vehicle collided with the truck, a senior police officer said.
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"We have just got information from the hospital that 12 people have died. Several others were being taken to Kohora Model Hospital. The toll is likely to rise," he said earlier.
Latest media reports said the death toll had risen to 23.
"The death toll is rising very fast. As per the latest information, doctors have confirmed that 23 people have died in the accident. The identities of the dead are being ascertained now," an Executive Magistrate of Golaghat district told reporters
Two of the deceased were women, the officer said, adding that several of them were college students who were returning from their classes when the accident occurred.
Assam CM ‘deeply distressed’
The minibus was going from Jorhat to Nagaon, while the container truck was going towards Upper Assam, the police said.
In a post on X (Formerly Twitter), Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was “deeply distressed” by the tragic accident.
“I am deeply distressed by the tragic accident in Kaziranga earlier today. The scale of this loss has shaken all of us, and my heart goes out to every family that has lost a loved one. No words can ease their pain, but I want them to know that they are not alone. All of Assam stands with them in this hour of grief,” Sarma said.
“Our foremost priority now is to make sure the injured receive the best possible medical care without delay. Hon'ble Minister Shri Atul Bora is at the site and personally overseeing the relief arrangements. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured and for strength for the bereaved families,” he added.
'Bus running at very high speed'
Earlier, Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka told PTI that all senior civil and police officials have rushed to the spot to help those engaged in relief and rescue operations.
He said the exact number of people travelling in the bus is not immediately known, but reports suggest that more than 35 passengers were in the bus.
Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora, who is also the local MLA, reached the site immediately and was supervising the relief and rescue operations.
The injured people were taken to the Kohora Model Hospital, and most of the critically injured were referred to hospitals in Bokakhat and Golaghat, and the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, another senior police officer said.
"The bus was running at very high speed, violating restrictions imposed near the park. We suspect that the accident took place when the driver of the minibus lost control, and the vehicle collided with the container truck," he added.