Fatal collision on highway near Kaziranga
At least 23 people were killed and another 20 injured when a minibus and a container truck crashed head-on near Rangajan, close to Kaziranga National Park, in Assam on Friday. The collision took place near Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range along National Highway-715, a senior police officer said.
The passenger vehicle, identified as a Traveller, was travelling from Golaghat towards Nagaon when it struck the container truck, which was moving in the direction of Upper Assam. The force of the impact left several passengers dead at the site, while others were taken for emergency treatment in nearby districts.
Many of those travelling in the minibus were college students returning from classes, according to police. Two of the deceased were women, while elderly passengers were also among those on board. The mix of young students and older travellers has added to the grief surrounding the crash, as authorities work to establish the identities of all the victims.
Death toll may rise
An executive magistrate of Golaghat district said the number of deaths had reached 23 after doctors confirmed additional fatalities. The official cautioned that the toll could increase further, as several injured passengers were in need of advanced medical care.
“The death toll is rising very fast. As per the latest information, doctors have confirmed that 23 people have died in the accident. The identities of the dead are being ascertained now,” the executive magistrate said.
The process of identifying the deceased was under way. This is expected to be a critical step for families trying to trace passengers who had travelled along the route between Golaghat and Nagaon. The available account did not provide the names of those killed or details of the vehicle operators.
Emergency response mobilised
At least nine ambulances were deployed to transport the injured from the crash site and surrounding medical facilities. Doctors referred 20 patients to Jorhat for specialised treatment, the executive magistrate said. The movement of so many injured people from the highway area placed immediate emphasis on coordination between local responders and hospitals in the two districts.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Rangajan, near Hathikuli Tea Estate, Kohora range |
| Road | National Highway-715 |
| Vehicles | Passenger Traveller and container truck |
| Confirmed deaths | 23 |
| Injured | 20 |
| Patients referred | 20 to Jorhat |
The crash occurred on a road running through the wider Kaziranga landscape, where traffic links settlements and districts across Upper Assam. In this instance, the two vehicles were travelling in opposite directions: the minibus was bound for Nagaon, while the container truck was headed towards Upper Assam. Police have not stated what caused the vehicles to collide or whether any violation was involved.
Families await confirmation
For relatives, the immediate concern remains confirmation of the identities and condition of those who were travelling in the minibus. The presence of students among the passengers means that families may be seeking information from educational institutions as well as hospitals. However, no list of the deceased or injured had been released in the information available.
The incident has also highlighted the pressure placed on medical services when a major crash occurs on a highway close to the Kaziranga area. The deployment of nine ambulances and the referral of patients to Jorhat indicate the need to move critically injured people beyond the nearest treatment points. The authorities have not yet disclosed the nature or severity of the injuries suffered by the survivors.
- Twenty-three people have been confirmed dead.
- Twenty passengers were injured and referred to Jorhat for advanced treatment.
- The victims included college students, two women and elderly passengers.
- The identities of those killed were still being ascertained.
The collision has left the route between Golaghat and Nagaon marked by a severe loss of life, with the final toll still uncertain. Police and district authorities are continuing with the identification process and emergency care arrangements. Further information on the cause of the crash, the identities of the victims and the condition of the injured was awaited.
