GOLAGHAT, Nov. 14 — At least 26 people, including several women and a minor, were killed and around 20 others injured after a minibus collided head-on with a container truck near Kaziranga National Park in Assam’s Golaghat district on Friday, November 13.
The accident occurred at approximately 2:30 PM in the Rangajan area, near Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range, along National Highway 715. According to police reports, the minibus was travelling from Golaghat towards Nagaon when it collided with an oncoming container truck. Several college students were reportedly among the victims.
The death toll increased as some critically injured passengers succumbed to their injuries. Assam Minister Atul Bora confirmed that the toll had risen to 26, including 14 women and 12 men, one of whom was a minor.
Following the collision, several passengers were trapped inside the severely damaged minibus. Rescue teams and local authorities rushed to the scene, while ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals, including Kohora Model Hospital. Those requiring advanced medical care were referred to hospitals in Bokakhat, Golaghat and Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.
Preliminary police findings indicated that overspeeding may have contributed to the accident. However, authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of the collision, including possible traffic violations and whether the vehicle was carrying passengers beyond its permitted capacity.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed grief over the loss of lives and assured that the injured would receive medical attention. Minister Atul Bora also supervised relief arrangements at the accident site.
Police and district authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident.