At least 24 killed after bus collides with truck in north-east India

At least 23 individuals lost their lives when a minibus collided head-on with a container truck near Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India, on Friday, according to police. Among the fatalities were three children. The vehicle responsible for the crash had a history of traffic violations, having already paid 12 fines totaling Rs 38,500 and owing an additional Rs 4,000.

The collision occurred in the Rongajaan area of Golaghat district, a highway known for its strict speed restrictions to safeguard wildlife moving through designated animal corridors. Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnanil Deka stated that preliminary investigations indicated the minibus was traveling at an excessive speed and violating traffic restrictions prior to losing control and colliding with the truck.

The exact number of passengers on board remains undetermined, though several were injured and transported to nearby hospitals. Rescue operations were swiftly initiated by emergency teams and local residents, while authorities worked to identify all the victims. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, stating that the magnitude of loss had deeply shaken the state.

He conveyed his condolences to each family that had suffered a loss and emphasized that Assam stands united in their hour of grief. State Cabinet Minister Atul Bora, a local legislator, visited the accident site and joined efforts to assist with rescue and relief operations. Police are currently investigating the precise circumstances surrounding the collision, including the suspected speeding and violation of restrictions along the highway.

India's roads ministry reported that over 183,000 people died in road accidents in 2025, with an average of more than 500 deaths per day. Official data have linked many of these accidents to inadequate infrastructure, poorly maintained vehicles, and driver fatigue.