New Delhi: Ten people have been reported dead in a road accident near the famous Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday. The accident occurred when a minibus carrying passengers collided with a container truck. Several others sustained serious injuries in the crash. While official confirmation of the exact death toll is awaited, rescue operations and treatment of the injured continue.
The tragic incident took place in the Rangajan area near the Hatikuli Tea Estate on National Highway 715, close to the Kohora Range in Kaziranga National Park. Initial reports suggest that the bus was carrying approximately 35 passengers, including college students, at the time of the accident. The collision was so severe that the bus was extensively damaged and many passengers were trapped inside the vehicle.
Local residents, police, and rescue teams promptly arrived at the scene upon receiving information about the accident and launched urgent rescue efforts to extricate passengers trapped inside the bus. Visuals showing injured victims lying on the road and locals rushing to assist them have circulated widely on social media.
Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnil Dek confirmed that at least seven people had died based on preliminary information. He also stated that efforts to recover bodies from inside the bus are ongoing. Meanwhile, some reports indicate the death toll may have risen to ten. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further fatalities given the serious nature of the injuries sustained.
The injured were initially admitted to Kohora Model Hospital. Following preliminary treatment, those in critical condition were transferred to Jorhat Medical College Hospital for specialized care. Ambulances and medical teams were mobilized to ensure timely emergency treatment.
Given the scale of the accident, senior police officers and high-ranking district administration officials arrived at the scene to oversee rescue operations. Steps have also been taken to identify the deceased and notify their next of kin.
Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister and local MLA Atul Bora visited the accident site and assessed the rescue efforts. His preliminary assessment indicated that the minibus was speeding and that traffic regulations on the road near Kaziranga National Park were not being followed. He speculated that the minibus driver might have lost control, leading to a collision with a container truck coming from the opposite direction. However, the exact cause will be determined only after detailed police investigations.
Special traffic regulations are in place on the national highway passing through Kaziranga National Park to ensure wildlife safety. Speed control in such sensitive zones is imperative. The investigation is expected to examine factors including vehicle speed, driver negligence, and road conditions.
This tragic accident comes shortly after another serious road crash in Assam. In September, five people died when a car collided with a truck near a petrol pump in the Balipara area of Sonitpur district. The truck driver fled the scene, prompting a police manhunt. The deceased were later identified as Har Gobind Hazori, Nayan Sorgiri, Pappu Bora, Pranjal Baniya, and Sanjay Mekh.
The recent accident in Kaziranga has rekindled concerns regarding road safety on Assam’s national highways. In particular, the excessive speed of passenger buses and heavy vehicles, along with traffic violations, continues to be a significant factor contributing to severe accidents.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
