Assam: At least 26 killed in bus-truck collision

Guwahati: At least 26 people were killed and 20 others injured after a truck collided with a minibus near Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday. Officials said the death count is likely to rise as several injured passengers are in critical condition. Many of the victims were college students who were returning from their classes.

Officials said the accident took place in Rongajan when a truck collided with a minibus coming from Bokakhat to Nagaon.

Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka said, "We are all at the spot, and bodies are being retrieved from the bus. So, the number of deaths is likely to rise."


Officials said the injured were rushed to Kohora Model Hospital for medical treatment. "The cause of the accident is not yet known. However, the bus was going at very high speed, violating restrictions imposed near the park which has speed restrictions as it is a national park and UNESCO world heritage site."

"A very tragic accident took place near Kaziranga National Park in the afternoon. According to information received so far, 24 people have lost their lives. College students are among the dead," chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said during an official programme at Biswanath.

Several critically injured people are being treated at Bokakhat Civil Hospital and Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, he added.