Tragic Minibus Collision with Truck Near Kaziranga National Park

A devastating accident unfolded on Friday, November 13, 2026, when a packed passenger minibus collided head-on with a heavy container truck along National Highway 715, close to Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Initial reports indicate that more than 20 individuals are feared dead, with the crash occurring near Rangajan, adjacent to the Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range. The impact was so severe that it tore open the passenger van, trapping commuters inside the mangled wreckage.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as traffic came to a standstill in both directions. Local tea garden workers and villagers rushed to the highway armed with iron bars and crowbars, attempting to assist before emergency services arrived. The minibus, a commercial Traveller van, was transporting passengers from Bokakhat to Nagaon when it collided with the multi-axle freight truck, resulting in catastrophic damage. Eyewitness accounts revealed that seats were ripped from their bolts, and rescuers faced significant challenges in extracting unconscious passengers from the twisted metal.

Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka provided a grim update at the scene, stating, "We have got a preliminary report that at least 20 people are feared dead in the accident. We are all at the spot, and bodies are being retrieved from the bus, so the number of deaths is likely to rise." As ambulances transported the injured to Kohora Model Hospital, the facility struggled to manage the influx of trauma cases, leading to critical patients being referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, located nearly 70 kilometers away.

The situation was exacerbated by the lack of a clear passenger count, as private commercial vans often operate without issuing tickets or maintaining passenger manifests. This practice has led to overcrowding, making it difficult for authorities to ascertain the exact number of individuals involved in the accident. Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora arrived at the crash site to oversee rescue operations and ensure that the injured received prompt medical attention.

Authorities have pointed to reckless driving as a contributing factor to the tragedy. Senior police officials indicated that the minibus was traveling at a high speed, violating the strict speed limits enforced in the wildlife zone surrounding Kaziranga National Park. "The bus was running at very high speed, violating restrictions imposed near the park," Deka explained. The area is known for its wildlife crossings, and forest authorities have implemented a 40-kilometer-per-hour speed limit to protect animals such as rhinos and elephants.

Despite these regulations, local transport unions have reported that commercial drivers often exceed speed limits to compensate for delays, creating dangerous conditions on the highway. In response to the incident, police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving, seized both vehicles for mechanical examination, and are actively searching hospital admissions to determine the final death toll.

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of life and grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures on Assam's highways.

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