At least 23 people are feared dead and several others injured after a passenger Traveller collided head-on with a container truck at Rongajan, near Kaziranga National Park in Assam's Golaghat district. The minibus was travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon and reportedly carried more than 35 people, including students from Kaziranga High School. Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka confirmed 23 deaths and said rescue operations were underway.

Assam Minister Atul Bora, speaking on Friday after visiting hospitals treating the victims, said the death toll had risen to 24 and that 11 people had been injured. The injured were initially taken to Kohora Model Hospital, while seriously injured passengers were referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital. Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Phukan said children were also among the injured, and the Force Traveller was badly mangled with several passengers trapped inside.S2

Police said the Traveller was moving at high speed and had allegedly violated speed restrictions imposed near the national park, and preliminary findings suggest the driver lost control before crashing into the truck. Eyewitnesses also claimed speeding by one of the vehicles caused the collision, but Bora said the exact cause would be established only after an investigation.S2

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was deeply distressed by the accident, expressed condolences to the bereaved families, and said ensuring the best possible medical care for the injured was the government's foremost priority. Bora, who is also the local MLA, was at the accident site personally overseeing relief arrangements. Post-mortem examinations of the deceased are scheduled for Saturday.S2