Over 20 feared dead, several injured as container truck rams into mini-bus in Assams Kaziranga
Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka said preliminary reports indicated that at least 20 people were feared dead.
PTC News Desk: At least 20 people are feared dead after a mini-bus collided head-on with a container truck in Assam’s Kaziranga. Most of the passengers travelling in the mini-bus were reportedly students.
The mini-bus was travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon when the accident occurred. The collision left the vehicle badly damaged, with several passengers feared trapped inside.
Local residents and police personnel launched a rescue operation, while the injured were taken to Kohora Model Hospital. Those in critical condition were later referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for further treatment. Rescue operations are still underway, and the official death toll has not yet been confirmed.
Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka said preliminary reports indicated that at least 20 people were feared dead. He added that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continued to retrieve bodies from the wreckage.
"We have received a preliminary report that at least 20 people are feared dead. We are at the spot, and bodies are being retrieved from the bus. The number of deaths is likely to increase," Deka said.
He also said that the exact number of passengers travelling in the mini-bus was not yet known.
Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora, who is also the local MLA, reached the accident site and was overseeing the rescue and relief operations.
According to SP Deka, the mini-bus was allegedly travelling at high speed and had violated restrictions imposed near the park. He said the driver may have lost control of the vehicle, leading to the collision with the container truck.
Rescue operations are continuing at the site.
"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," said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.