At least 24 people were killed and 20 others injured after a minibus and a container truck collided near Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Friday, November 13, officials said. Several of those killed were college students returning from classes, making the crash one of the deadliest recent road accidents in the state.
The collision took place at Rangajan near Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range of Golaghat district, on National Highway 715. The passenger vehicle was travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon when it collided head-on with a container truck moving towards Upper Assam.
Death toll and rescue operation
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said 24 people had lost their lives and expressed condolences to the families. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, including Bokakhat Civil Hospital and Jorhat Medical College and Hospital. Some were reported to be in critical condition.
Officials said the deceased included two women and a minor. The identities of victims were being ascertained and families were being informed. The number of people travelling in the vehicle and the final sequence of events were still being examined.
What caused the collision?
Police said the minibus was allegedly travelling at very high speed and may have violated restrictions imposed on the road near the national park. Investigators suspect the driver lost control before the vehicle struck the container truck. The cause remains under investigation and the police inquiry will establish responsibility.
Government response
State ministers and district officials reached the accident site to supervise rescue and relief operations. The Chief Minister described the incident as a tragic loss and said the government was monitoring the treatment of the injured.
Sources
- Associated Press, November 14, 2026
- PTI via ThePrint, November 13, 2026
- The New Indian Express, November 13, 2026
Image note: The featured image is representative and does not depict the actual crash.
