GUWAHATI: A speeding minibus went out of control and rammed head-on into a container truck on National Highway 715 near Kaziranga National Park in Assam’s Golaghat district on Friday, killing at least 23 people, most of them students.The impact was so severe that the minibus carrying 40 passengers was crushed, leaving several passengers trapped inside the mangled wreckage.The accident took place at Rangajan, near Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range. The minibus was travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon when it collided with the truck, a senior police officer said.Two women were among those killed in the accident. Several others sustained injuries, some of them critical, and were rushed to the Kohora Model Hospital.Those in critical condition were subsequently referred to the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.
High-speed crash
According to preliminary information, the minibus was allegedly travelling at high speed and had violated traffic restrictions imposed along the highway stretch near the national park.Assam minister Atul Bora, who is also the local MLA, said the driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle before it rammed into the container truck.“The bus was running at very high speed, violating restrictions imposed near the park,” Bora said.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives and said the state government was prioritising medical treatment for the injured.“I am deeply distressed by the tragic accident in Kaziranga earlier today. All of Assam stands with them in this hour of grief. Our foremost priority now is to make sure the injured receive the best possible medical care without delay,” Sarma said.He added that minister Atul Bora was at the site and personally overseeing the relief arrangements. The chief minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and strength for the bereaved families.
What led to the tragedy
- The minibus was allegedly travelling at high speed despite restrictions on the highway stretch near Kaziranga.
- The head-on impact with the container truck was so violent that the minibus was virtually flattened. The mangled vehicle left passengers trapped.
- Minister Atul Bora said the driver appeared to have lost control before the minibus rammed into the truck.
- Most of those travelling in the minibus were students heading from Bokakhat to Nagaon. Two women were also among the 23 people killed.
- Critical patients shifted for advanced care: The injured were first taken to Kohora Model Hospital. Those requiring specialised treatment were referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.
