A bus collided with a container truck in the northeastern Indian state of Assam on Friday, killing at least 24 people and injuring 11 others, authorities said. The crash occurred on a highway near Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its one-horned rhinos, about 140 miles east of the state capital, Dispur.
Children and the bus driver were among the dead, officials said. State minister Atul Bora described the crash as one of the worst in Assam’s history and said police were investigating the cause. Witnesses reported that the bus was speeding before the collision, Bora added.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on X that he was "deeply distressed by the tragic accident." India experiences one of the highest rates of road fatalities globally, attributed to factors such as reckless driving, poorly maintained roads, and aging vehicles.