The death toll could rise as rescue teams continue to retrieve bodies from the wreckage.

The mini-bus was travelling from Bokakhat towards Nagaon when the collision occurred.

The impact left the passenger vehicle severely mangled, trapping several occupants inside.

Local residents and police personnel joined the rescue operation, while emergency teams rushed the injured to nearby hospitals.

Those with serious injuries were initially taken to Kohora Model Hospital before being referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.

Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Swapnaneel Deka confirmed that 23 people had died, while warning that the toll could increase as rescuers continued their work.

"We have got a preliminary report that 23 people died in the accident. We are all at the spot, and bodies are being retrieved from the bus, so the number of deaths is likely to rise," Deka said.

He added that authorities had not yet established the exact number of passengers travelling in the mini-bus.

Police suspect mini-bus driver lost control

Deka said the mini-bus was travelling at high speed and had allegedly breached restrictions imposed in the area near Kaziranga National Park.

Police suspect the driver lost control of the vehicle before it crashed into the container truck.

"The bus was running at very high speed, violating restrictions imposed near the park. We think that the accident took place when the driver of the mini bus lost control, and the vehicle collided with the container truck," the SSP said.

Details of the vehicle’s traffic violations have also emerged.

The mini-bus, identified as a Traveller, reportedly had 12 challans that had been paid, amounting to Rs 38,500, while another penalty of Rs 4,000 remains outstanding.

The pending fine is reportedly the applicable penalty in Assam for overspeeding by a commercial vehicle.

Minister reaches scene as rescue continues

Assam Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora, who represents the area as its MLA, reached the accident site and was overseeing the rescue and relief operations.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed grief over the deaths, saying the tragedy had deeply shaken the state.

In a post on X, Sarma conveyed his condolences to the families of those killed and said the people of Assam stood with them during the difficult time.

The Chief Minister said the government's immediate priority was to ensure that those injured received the best possible medical treatment without delay.

He also confirmed that Bora was at the site, personally supervising the relief arrangements.

Sarma prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and strength for the families who had lost their loved ones.