- A Force Traveller minibus and a container truck collided near Rongajan in Assam’s Kaziranga area on November 13.
- The police initially reported at least seven deaths, while subsequent media reports cited higher suspected tolls of 12 to 20.
- Rescue operations continued, with injured passengers shifted to Kohora Model Hospital and critically injured people reportedly referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.
Guwahati: A major road accident near Kaziranga National Park in Assam’s Golaghat district has left several people feared dead and many others injured after a passenger vehicle collided head-on with a container truck at Rongajan on Friday.
The accident occurred when a Force Traveller minibus travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon collided with the oncoming truck. The impact severely damaged the passenger vehicle, trapping several occupants inside the mangled wreckage.
Police personnel, local residents and rescue teams rushed to the spot and began efforts to pull out the trapped passengers.
Conflicting Reports on Death Toll
The number of casualties remained uncertain as rescue operations continued and authorities worked to establish the exact figures.
Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka told news agency that a preliminary report indicated at least seven deaths. He cautioned that the toll could rise as bodies were being recovered from the damaged vehicle.
Other media reports subsequently cited higher figures, with some reporting 12 deaths and others saying between 16 and 20 people were feared dead.
However, these higher figures had not been uniformly confirmed by official authorities at the time of publication. The final death toll is awaited.
Students Among Passengers
According to preliminary reports, the Force Traveller was carrying more than 35 passengers, including students. Some reports identified students from Kaziranga High School among those travelling in the vehicle.
The vehicle was reportedly heading towards Nagaon from Bokakhat when the collision occurred near Rongajan.
The front portion of the minibus was badly crushed, making the rescue operation difficult. Several passengers were reportedly trapped inside the vehicle.
Injured Shifted to Hospitals
The injured passengers were taken to Kohora Model Hospital for treatment. According to reports, some critically injured people were referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for further medical care.
Rescue teams continued their efforts to recover passengers from the wreckage. The condition of several injured people was reported to be critical.
Police Suspect Overspeeding
Golaghat SSP Swapnaneel Deka said preliminary information suggested that the passenger vehicle was travelling at high speed and may have violated speed restrictions imposed near the national park.
According to the police officer, the driver may have lost control before the vehicle collided with the container truck.
The exact cause of the accident, however, is yet to be established through a detailed investigation.
Rescue Operations Continue
Senior police officials and local authorities are monitoring the situation. Assam Minister and local MLA Atul Bora also reached the accident site, according to media reports, to oversee the rescue and relief operations.
Further details regarding the identities of the deceased, the number of injured passengers and the circumstances leading to the collision are awaited.
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