Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced financial assistance for the families of those killed in a collision between a passenger minibus and a trailer truck near Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
The death toll from the accident has risen to 24, with several others injured.
Under the relief announced by the Prime Minister, the next of kin of each deceased person will receive Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Those injured in the crash will be given Rs 50,000 each.
The Prime Minister’s Office shared Modi’s condolences in a post on X. He expressed grief over the deaths, offered condolences to the bereaved families.
The accident occurred along National Highway 715 near Rangajan, close to Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range. A passenger minibus and a trailer truck collided head-on, killing at least 24 people and injuring several others.
Following the crash, the injured were taken to Kohora Model Hospital. Those in critical condition were subsequently referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for specialised treatment.
Cabinet Minister Atul Bora visited the accident site and oversaw rescue and relief efforts.
He said he had encountered the aftermath while travelling back from Guwahati and joined local residents in transporting injured passengers to hospitals.
Initial police findings suggest that the minibus was travelling at high speed and may have breached traffic restrictions in force in the Kaziranga area.
Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka said investigators suspect the driver lost control before the vehicle struck the trailer truck.
Investigators are trying to determine how the crash happened, how many people were in the minibus and other details of the journey.