A van collision with a truck on National Highway 15 in Assam’s Sonitpur district killed five people, according to police. The incident occurred in the Balipara area at around 11:30pm on Friday, with the van and truck colliding head-on. The truck driver is missing, and the van’s driver is under investigation for losing control and crossing into the opposite lane, police said.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Barun Purkayastha confirmed that five men were critically injured and taken to a government hospital. Two died on arrival, and three succumbed during treatment. The deceased, all residents of Batabari, were traveling from Tezpur to Rangapara in a Maruti Suzuki Eeco van. The truck was coming from the opposite direction, and the collision was severe, as reported by locals who described the impact as massive and audible from nearby homes.

Police have taken both vehicles into custody and sent the bodies to Sonitpur Civil Hospital for postmortem. The state government has been promoting road safety measures, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noting a decline in fatalities in recent years. However, the state reported nearly 4,000 road accidents this year, with hundreds of deaths, according to official figures.

The police are examining whether the van’s driver lost control and entered the opposite lane, leading to the collision. The truck driver remains missing, and authorities are searching for him. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Assam, despite government efforts to reduce fatalities.

The exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, with police stating that initial findings suggest the van lost control. Locals who witnessed the accident described both vehicles as traveling at high speed, with the van crossing into the opposite lane before impact. The severity of the crash, as described by witnesses, underscores the dangers of high-speed travel on NH-15, a major route in the state.

The state government’s road safety initiatives have not yet translated into a significant reduction in accident-related deaths, according to the latest data. While the chief minister has acknowledged progress, the number of road accidents and fatalities remains high. The incident in Sonitpur adds to the growing concern about road safety in Assam, where the state continues to face challenges in reducing traffic fatalities.

The absence of a response from the accused or their representatives means that the investigation into the collision will proceed without immediate input from those involved. The police are expected to release further details as the inquiry progresses. Until then, the incident remains a stark reminder of the risks associated with road travel in the region, and the need for continued efforts to improve safety measures.