Suryaa Now India Desk: At least 24 people have been killed and 11 others injured after a passenger bus collided with a container truck in India's northeastern state of Assam on Friday, November 13, 2026. Several children and the bus driver were among those killed, according to officials.
The horrific accident occurred on a highway in Golaghat district, near the famous Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its one-horned rhinoceroses.
The collision took place approximately 225 kilometres east of Dispur, the state capital. The impact severely damaged the bus, leaving several passengers dead and others injured.
Police confirmed that at least 24 people lost their lives in the collision, while 11 others sustained injuries.
Officials said children were among the victims. The bus driver was also killed in the accident.
Emergency personnel and local residents rushed to the scene to assist in rescue operations. The injured were shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
Authorities continued assessing the situation as details about the victims and the circumstances of the accident emerged.
Assam state minister Atul Bora described the incident as one of the worst road accidents in the state's history.
According to the minister, witnesses reported that the bus was travelling at high speed before it collided with the container truck.
Police have launched an investigation to establish the exact circumstances leading to the crash. However, the suspected cause has not yet been formally established.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
In a statement shared on social media, he said the scale of the tragedy had deeply affected the state and extended condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.
The Chief Minister said the government's immediate priority was to ensure that injured passengers received the best possible medical treatment without delay.
He also confirmed that state minister Atul Bora was at the accident site overseeing relief and rescue arrangements.
The accident occurred near Kaziranga National Park, one of India's most important wildlife conservation areas and a major international tourism destination.
The region attracts visitors from across the world for its population of endangered one-horned rhinoceroses.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns about road safety in India, where serious highway accidents continue to claim numerous lives.
Overspeeding, dangerous driving, poorly maintained roads and vehicle safety violations are among the factors associated with fatal road accidents.
Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the Assam collision as part of the investigation.
The incident has left families grieving and communities across Assam mourning the victims.
Source: Al Jazeera, Associated Press and local authorities.