A minibus and a container truck collided near Kaziranga National Park in Assam, killing at least 24 people and injuring several others., At least 24 people were killed and 11 others injured on Friday when a bus collided with a container truck in India’s northeastern state of Assam, authorities said.
The accident occurred on a highway near Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its population of one-horned rhinoceroses.
According to police officials, the passenger vehicle was travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon when it collided head-on with the truck near Rangajan in Golaghat district.
Children and the driver of the minibus were among those killed, officials said. Several injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep sadness over the incident and said the government was taking steps to ensure proper medical care for the injured.
State minister Atul Bora described the accident as one of the worst in the state’s history and said police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Officials said witnesses reported that the passenger vehicle was travelling at high speed before the crash. However, the exact cause has not yet been officially established.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences to the families of those killed and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families.
The accident has once again raised concerns about road safety in India, where traffic accidents remain a major cause of deaths and serious injuries.
Police have begun an investigation to determine the circumstances of the collision.
