12 killed, over 37 injured in a tragic accident in Assam between a bus and coal laden truck

New Delhi, January 4

At least 12 people were killed and over 37 others were injured in an highway accident involving a passenger bus and truck in Golaghat district of Assam. 

The police said that the accident took place near the Balijan area at Dergaon on National Highway 37.

The passenger bus had 49 people on board and was on its way to the famous Tilinga temple in Tinsukia district. The coal-laden truck from Margherita in Upper Assam was moving towards Guwahati at a high speed and collided head on with the bus. 

12 people died on the spot, most of the occupants in the bus were travelling to Golaghat. 

The local residents called police and emergency services and aided forces to rescue ionjured. 37 injured to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital. 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives and stated that a team of top officials and experts including special director general of Assam Police, inspector general (Law & Order), transport commissioners state project director of Lead Agency on Road Safety and executive director of National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) had rushed to the spot and gave necessary assistance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

In an X post, the official handle of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) wrote, “Pained by the loss of lives due to a road mishap in Golaghat, Assam. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000: PM”.

President Draupadi Murmu also condoled the deaths of accident victims. “The news of sudden death of many people in a road accident in Golaghat, Assam is extremely sad. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” she posted.