At least 23 people were killed and several others injured in a horrific road accident in Assam’s Golaghat district.
The accident reportedly took place in the Kaziranga area on Friday afternoon when a passenger-laden Tempo Traveller collided with a trailer truck. Several injured passengers are said to be in critical condition, and police fear that the death toll may rise.
According to preliminary reports, the Tempo Traveller was carrying more than 35 passengers, including students from Kaziranga High School. The collision was reportedly so severe that the passenger vehicle was badly damaged, leaving several occupants trapped inside.
The accident triggered panic in the area, while local residents joined the rescue operation before police and security personnel arrived at the scene.
SSP Deka said the accident occurred between 2pm and 2:30pm The injured were initially taken to the nearby Kohora Model Hospital for treatment. Those in critical condition were being shifted to Bokakhat Civil Hospital. The injured passengers were also being distributed among several hospitals depending on the severity of their injuries.
Police officers said the death toll could increase as rescue teams continued to evacuate the injured and shift them to hospitals. District administration officials also reached the accident site and began assessing the situation.
Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. The circumstances leading to the collision between the Tempo Traveller and the trailer truck are being examined, and officials are gathering information from the scene.
The tragic accident has cast a shadow of grief over the Kaziranga area, particularly amid reports that school students were among those travelling in the vehicle. Further details about the identities of the victims and the exact number of injured persons are awaited.
