Kaziranga Accident: Assam CM says driver may have suffered stroke before traveller hit truck; 26 dead

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on November 19 said footage of the fatal road accident near Rongajan in Kaziranga showed the minibus, commonly referred to as a Traveller, suddenly veering into the path of a container truck, as he announced compensation of Rs 9 lakh for the family of each deceased victim.

The accident claimed 26 lives. The injured were admitted to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) and other hospitals across the region.

Referring to the footage that has emerged, Sarma said the road appeared clear before the Traveller suddenly changed direction and moved towards the container truck. He said investigators were examining two possible explanations: whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol or had suffered a stroke.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that a cyclist could be seen in the camera recording and said the person could help establish what happened moments before the collision.

However, he stressed that the exact cause of the accident would have to be determined through an investigation. The driver's post-mortem examination would also be important in establishing whether he suffered a medical emergency.

Sarma said the driver was a local resident and should have been aware of the traffic restrictions in the Kaziranga area. He noted that the speed limit along the stretch is 40 kmph.

The Chief Minister also raised concerns over alleged pressure on drivers from vehicle owners to make more trips and earn higher returns, potentially leading to violations of traffic rules. He said the circumstances surrounding the driver's actions and the possibility of a vehicle malfunction were being examined.

Rs 9 lakh compensation for each victim's family

Sarma announced that the family of each deceased victim would receive a total compensation of Rs 9 lakh. This includes Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Rs 2 lakh under disaster management assistance and Rs 2 lakh announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said post-mortem examinations were underway and arrangements had been made to hand over the bodies to their respective families. Ambulances were kept on standby for transportation.

The Chief Minister said doctors from Guwahati and other parts of Assam had reached the area to provide specialised treatment to the injured. Transport Minister and Minister Ajanta Neog, along with other ministers, were present during his visit.

Three of 20 patients admitted to JMCH die

Providing an update on the injured, Sarma said 20 people had been admitted to JMCH, of whom three had succumbed to their injuries. Of the remaining patients, 10 were stable, one was on ventilator support and others were receiving treatment in the ICU.

He also confirmed that one of the deceased victims had been identified as a resident of Bihar.

CM calls for stricter traffic enforcement

Sarma said road accident fatalities had increased over the past two years, despite the government's efforts to regulate traffic. He observed that stricter enforcement measures often faced public resistance but said the government would have to tighten traffic rules to prevent further tragedies.

He said traffic conditions had remained relatively under control during 2022-23, but road accidents had increased in recent months, underlining the need for stronger enforcement.

The accident occurred near Rongajan in Golaghat district when a Traveller travelling from Golaghat towards Nagaon collided head-on with a container truck on National Highway 715.