At least 24 killed in bus and truck collision in India's Assam state

At least 24 people were killed and 11 injured when a container truck struck a bus on a highway in Golaghat district, Assam, on Friday, police said.

The bus was carrying passengers from Bokakhat heading towards Nagaon, according to a regional opposition leader, and the superintendent of police said it was travelling to a neighbouring district with about 30 people on board. The collision occurred near Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its one‑horned rhinoceroses, roughly 225km east of the state capital Dispur. Several children and the bus driver were among those who died, officials added.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X that he was “deeply distressed by the tragic accident” and later said, “The scale of this loss has shaken all of us, and my heart goes out to every family that has lost a loved one. No words can ease their pain, but I want them to know that they are not alone. All of Assam stands with them in this hour of grief.” He said local authorities were at the scene, personally overseeing relief to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care without delay.

Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka told Reuters that “it is likely the death toll will increase”. Lurinjyoti Gogoi, chief of a regional opposition party, warned that road safety has long been a major concern in the state and urged the government to act, saying “The government must take it up seriously.”

Road accidents kill thousands in India each year; 172,000 people lost their lives in 2023, about 474 a day, and the figure rose to 183,382 in 2025. Experts say the crisis is rooted not only in poor infrastructure but also in human behaviour, enforcement gaps and systemic neglect.