At least 23 people have been killed and several others injured after a container truck collided with a bus in India's northeastern state of Assam, police said. The crash happened on Friday on a highway in Golaghat district, near Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its one-horned rhinos, about 225km (140 miles) east of the state capital, Dispur.
Police said 11 others were injured, and several children and the bus driver were among the dead. Swapnaneel Deka, superintendent of police of Golaghat district, told Reuters that it is likely the death toll will increase. He said the bus was travelling to a neighbouring district with about 30 people on board.S1S2
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on X that he was "deeply distressed by the tragic accident". He said local authorities were at the site and personally overseeing relief arrangements to ensure the injured receive prompt medical care. "All of Assam stands with them in this hour of grief," Sarma said.S1
The crash highlights the country's road safety problem. India has one of the highest rates of road fatalities in the world, with accidents happening regularly, in part due to poorly maintained roads and vehicles.S1
