Assam: A horrific road accident took place near Assam's Kaziranga National Park on Friday. 26 people tragically lost their lives, while more than 20 people were injured in a massive head-on collision between a mini bus and a container truck. The dead included women, minors and several college students. After the accident, mourning has spread across Assam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Draupadi Murmu and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have expressed grief over the tragedy.
Collision between mini bus and truck on National Highway-715
According to the police, the accident took place on National Highway-715 in Rangajan area near Hatikhuli Tea Estate which falls under Kohora range. The mini bus was going from Golaghat to Ngaon, while the container truck was going to Upper Assam. Meanwhile, there was a huge head-on collision between the two vehicles.
The collision was so horrific that the front end of the mini bus was completely crumpled and the vehicle turned into a scrap of iron. On the other hand, the container truck was stranded on the side of the road. As soon as the accident was reported, police and administration officials rushed to the spot and started rescue operations.
Students were returning from college
According to preliminary information, around 45 people were on board the mini bus at the time of the accident. It included a large number of college students. The students were returning home after completing their studies in the college, when this tragic accident took place on the road.
Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnil Deka said that after the accident, senior police and administrative officials reached the spot. Arrangements were made to take the injured to the hospital by carrying out immediate rescue operations.
9 injured were taken to hospital by ambulance
Those injured in the accident were immediately shifted to Kohora Model Hospital. The critically injured were referred to Bokhat Civil Hospital, Golaghat and Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for better treatment.
A total of 9 ambulances were deployed to take the injured to the hospital. Around 20 injured were sent to Jorhat for further treatment. Kohora Model Hospital senior doctor Deepan Kumar Burman said the death toll in the accident has risen to 26. The injured are being treated in various hospitals.
14 dead were identified
So far 14 dead have been identified by the administration. In which Jyoti Mazi, Darpana Mazi, Anurag Goala (12 years), mini bus driver Abdul Mujeed, helper Subhash, Rashid Ali, Hafiza Khatoon, Farhana Yasmin, K.R. Lobho, Amjad Ali, Bulbul Ali, Baby Karmakar, Damini Ghatowar and Deepanjali Rongfar.
PM Modi announced an aid of 2 lakhs for the families of the deceased
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over this horrific accident in Assam. He has announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the families of the deceased. While the people injured in the accident will be given assistance of Rs 50,000 each.
President Draupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condoled the accident and expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed grief
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed grief over the accident and said that the entire Assam has been shaken by the loss of life in this accident. The state government stands with the bereaved families in this difficult hour. Providing the best medical treatment to the injured without delay is the highest priority of the government.
The Chief Minister said that Minister Ranoj Pegu will reach Kaziranga soon, while he himself will visit the spot and the hospital on Saturday. Panchayat and Village Development Minister Atul Bora was present at the spot and was monitoring the relief and rescue operations.
The speed of the mini bus is suspected to have caused the accident
In the preliminary investigation, high speed of the mini bus is suspected to be the cause of the accident. According to a senior official, restrictions on vehicular movement are in place around Kaziranga National Park. It is suspected that the driver of the mini bus lost control of the vehicle and it left its lane and collided with an oncoming container truck.
A video claimed to be captured on the truck's dashcam is also going viral on social media. In the video, the mini bus is seen speeding and allegedly crossing its lane and colliding with the truck.
Earlier also overspeeding challans were deducted
According to an official of the Golaghat district transport office, the minibus that was involved in the accident had faced challan for overspeeding several times before. The vehicle was registered in the name of Anjeer Ali, a resident of Nagaon.
The official said that on March 3, a challan of Rs 4,000 was slapped on the vehicle in Jorhat for running at a speed of 102 km per hour. Apart from this several challans were issued for speeding in the Kaziranga area as well, some of which are found to be outstanding.
The accident will be thoroughly investigated
A detailed investigation of the accident will be conducted by the Golaghat district administration. During the investigation, it will be checked whether any of the two vehicles violated traffic rules. Matters will also be investigated whether the minibus was carrying more passengers than the prescribed capacity and whether the speed limit of the vehicle was followed or not. The exact cause of the accident will be revealed after the completion of the investigation.
Accident between truck and SUV also in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar, 4 killed
Meanwhile, a heavy head-on collision took place between a truck and an SUV near Gopalpura on National Highway-44 in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district. In this accident, four people in the SUV died on the spot, while five others were seriously injured. The injured were rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment.