Guwahati: A dashcam video has captured the moment a passenger-packed minibus collided head-on with a container truck near Kaziranga National Park in Assam, killing at least 26 people. The footage shows the minibus apparently losing control, skidding into the opposite lane and crashing into the oncoming truck.

The accident occurred on Friday along National Highway-715 at Rongajan, near Hathikuli Tea Estate in Golaghat district. The impact left the Force Traveller minibus severely damaged, with its front portion mangled and several passengers trapped inside.

Most of those travelling in the minibus were reportedly students, including college students, making the tragedy particularly devastating for families and the local community.

Dashcam video captures moment of collision

The two-second dashcam clip, reportedly recorded inside the minibus, shows the vehicle approaching the oncoming traffic before moving towards the opposite lane. A bright flash appears on the footage at the moment of impact.

The visuals suggest that the minibus skidded across the road and entered the path of the container truck, resulting in a head-on collision. The brief recording has brought attention to the sequence of events immediately before the crash.

Images from the accident site show the extent of the destruction. The front section of the Traveller was crushed in the collision, leaving the vehicle almost completely wrecked. Several passengers were trapped in the damaged minibus and had to be rescued.

At least 26 people died in the accident, according to the information provided by officials. Injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The collision took place on a stretch of National Highway-715 near Kaziranga, a route used by vehicles travelling through the region. The exact circumstances leading to the minibus losing control remain subject to investigation.

Minibus had more than 10 traffic challans

Official vehicle database records reportedly show that the Force Traveller involved in the accident had received more than 10 traffic challans before the crash.

According to the records, penalties amounting to Rs 38,500 had been paid, while another Rs 4,000 in fines remained outstanding.

The details have raised questions about the vehicle’s previous traffic violations and whether its compliance with road safety regulations had been adequately monitored.

Assam minister Atul Bora said the minibus was travelling at a very high speed and had allegedly violated traffic restrictions imposed along the Kaziranga stretch.

His statement has brought the vehicle’s speed and compliance with restrictions into focus as investigators examine the circumstances of the collision.

However, the available information does not establish whether the earlier traffic challans were directly connected to the crash. The vehicle’s reported violations, the minister’s remarks and the dashcam footage are among the details drawing attention as the investigation proceeds.

Fourteen victims identified

An Executive Magistrate of Golaghat district told reporters that 14 victims had been identified following the accident.

The identified victims are:

  • Jyoti Majhi
  • Darpana Majhi
  • Anurag Goala, a 12-year-old boy
  • Abdul Mujid, the minibus driver
  • Subhash, the minibus handyman
  • Rashid Ali
  • Hafiza Khatun
  • Farhana Yasmin
  • K R Lobho
  • Amjad Ali
  • Bulbul Ali
  • Baby Karmakar
  • Damini Ghatowar
  • Dipanjali Rongphar

The identification process is an important part of the response to the tragedy, as families seek information about those who were travelling in the vehicle.

Officials said nine ambulances were rushed to the accident site to transport injured passengers to hospitals. Those who survived the collision are receiving medical treatment.

Rescue operations and investigation

The severity of the collision made rescue operations difficult, as the front portion of the minibus was badly crushed. Passengers trapped inside the vehicle had to be extricated before they could be taken for medical assistance.

The use of nine ambulances helped transport the injured from the site to hospitals. Authorities are continuing to deal with the aftermath of the accident, including victim identification and medical care for survivors.

The dashcam recording has provided a brief visual account of the moments before the collision. The reported traffic challans and the minister’s statement about high speed and alleged violation of restrictions have also raised questions about road safety on the Kaziranga stretch.

The investigation will need to establish the precise sequence of events and the factors that caused the minibus to enter the opposite lane. Until those findings are available, the footage and preliminary statements should not be treated as a final determination of the cause.

The loss of at least 26 lives has once again highlighted the devastating consequences of road accidents involving passenger vehicles. The focus now remains on supporting the injured, completing the identification process and determining how the tragedy occurred.