Kaziranga: The death toll in a head-on collision between a minibus and a trailer truck near Kaziranga National Park in Assam rose to 23 on Friday, according to the latest reports.
The accident occurred at Rangajan near Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range on National Highway 715. The minibus, reportedly carrying around 40 passengers, collided head-on with the truck, causing multiple casualties.
The toll was initially reported at seven before rising to 12 as more injured passengers succumbed to their injuries. The latest reports put the number of fatalities at 23. Rescue operations were underway at the accident site.
Earlier, Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka had told PTI that bodies were being retrieved from the damaged passenger vehicle and that the toll was likely to rise.
Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora, who is also the local MLA, reached the site and supervised the relief and rescue operations.
The injured were taken to Kohora Model Hospital, while those in critical condition were referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital.
Police said the minibus was allegedly travelling at high speed and may have lost control before colliding with the truck. The circumstances leading to the crash are being examined.