Play store
At least 23 people were killed and seven others injured after a passenger minibus collided head-on with a container truck in India’s northeastern state of Assam on Friday.
The accident occurred at Rongajan, near Kaziranga National Park, in Golaghat district, when the minibus travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon collided with the truck on National Highway 715.
The impact was severe, leaving the minibus badly mangled and trapping several passengers inside the wreckage.
Police personnel and local residents rushed to the scene and launched rescue operations to pull out those trapped in the vehicle.
The injured were taken to Kohora Model Hospital for medical treatment. Several of them were reported to be in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
According to preliminary reports, several college students returning from their classes were among the victims. Two women were also reported among those killed.
Police suspect that overspeeding may have contributed to the accident.
Investigators believe the minibus may have been travelling at high speed and lost control before colliding with the oncoming truck.
However, the exact cause of the crash is yet to be established.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and assured that the injured would receive proper medical treatment.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Note: Initial reports confirmed 23 deaths and seven injuries, while some later media updates carried higher casualty figures.
The figures above follow the requested headline and initial reporting.