26 killed, 20 injured as minibus collides head-on with truck near Assam's Kaziranga

At least 26 people were killed and 20 others injured after a minibus collided head-on with a container truck near Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday. Several of the injured are in critical condition, while rescue and relief operations were carried out at the accident site.

The collision took place at around 2.30 pm near Rongajan, close to Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range of Golaghat district, along National Highway 715. The minibus, reportedly carrying more than 35 passengers, was travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon when it collided with the truck, which was heading towards Upper Assam.

The victims included women, children and college students. Several passengers were trapped inside the severely mangled minibus following the impact, prompting police personnel, local residents and senior administrative officials to rush to the spot and launch rescue operations.

Dipam Kumar Barman, a senior doctor at Kohora Model Hospital, confirmed that the death toll had risen to 26. The injured were initially taken to Kohora Model Hospital, while those in critical condition were referred to hospitals in Bokakhat and Golaghat, as well as the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.

Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka said the authorities were still ascertaining the identities of the deceased and collecting information about the victims.

Overspeeding suspected as police investigate crash

Police suspect that overspeeding may have contributed to the accident, as vehicles are subject to speed restrictions along the stretch near Kaziranga National Park.

"The bus was running at very high speed, violating restrictions imposed near the park. We think that the accident took place when the driver of the minibus lost control, and the vehicle collided with the container truck," Deka said.

A purported dashcam video of the collision also surfaced on social media. The footage reportedly shows the minibus approaching the container truck at high speed, swerving into its lane and crashing into its front.

An official from the Golaghat District Transport Office said the minibus had previously attracted several traffic fines for overspeeding. The vehicle was registered in the name of Anjir Ali, a resident of Nagaon, and had been fined Rs 4,000 in Jorhat on March 3 for allegedly travelling at 102 kmph. It had also received multiple overspeeding challans in the Kaziranga area, with some penalties reportedly remaining unpaid.

A man who identified himself as the truck driver claimed that the minibus had hit his vehicle. He said he was travelling from Tezpur towards Dibrugarh when the collision occurred. The truck driver and another person travelling in the vehicle escaped with minor injuries.

The Golaghat district administration has ordered a detailed inquiry to establish the circumstances leading to the accident and determine whether either vehicle violated traffic regulations, including speed limits and passenger capacity requirements.

Himanta Biswa Sarma expresses grief, PM announces compensation

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep distress over the accident and extended his condolences to the families of those killed.

"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," he said.

The Chief Minister said providing immediate medical assistance to the injured was the government's foremost priority. He added that Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora, who is also the local MLA, was at the accident site overseeing rescue and relief arrangements.

"I pray for the swift recovery of the injured and for strength for the bereaved families," Sarma added.

Bora subsequently visited hospitals to assess the condition of the injured and review the medical arrangements. He said instructions had been issued to ensure that all injured passengers received the best possible treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed anguish over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased person. Those injured in the accident will receive Rs 50,000 each.

The post-mortem examinations of the deceased are to be conducted at Swahid Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital in Golaghat, with the district administration making arrangements for the process.