Dibrugarh Ambulance Tragedy: Death Toll Climbs to Five
The death toll from a horrific head-on collision between an overcrowded tea estate ambulance and a night bus in Assam's Tinsukia district has now climbed to five, sparking widespread public anger and allegations of gross negligence against the garden management. The tragic incident occurred on November 25 on NH-37 in the Hukanpukhuri area.
Fifth Victim Succumbs to Injuries
The latest victim, Kamal Tanti, 32, a worker of the Powai Tea Estate, succumbed to his injuries at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh in the early hours of Friday. His death marks the fifth fatality from the devastating crash.
The tragedy had earlier claimed four other lives. Gobin Bhuyan (55), also an employee of Powai Tea Estate, and his wife Minju Bhuyan (50) died on the spot. Kumar Chetri (56) passed away hours later at Tinsukia Civil Hospital, and Anju Moni Kalita (38) died at AMCH on November 26.
Overcrowded Ambulance and Ongoing Hospitalizations
The ambulance, which belonged to the Powai Tea Estate, was carrying 15 people – a dangerously high number that included 12 patients, two attendants, and the driver – to AMCH when the accident occurred around 5 am. The vehicle was carrying nearly three times its intended capacity. Ten critically injured individuals, including the ambulance driver, remain hospitalized at AMCH.
Public Fury and Demands for Justice
The rising death toll ignited public fury on Friday. Members of the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) staged a massive protest outside the Powai Tea Estate, bringing work to a complete halt for the day.
Led by ATTSA Tinsukia district general secretary Dulen Kurmi, the demonstrators raised slogans against the garden management, questioning the decision to operate the ambulance in such a dangerously overloaded condition.
"We raise a serious question to the garden management: why were 15 persons, including 12 patients, being carried in one ambulance? This is a clear case of criminal negligence, and we demand strict action against the medical officer responsible," Kurmi stated. The protesters are demanding adequate financial compensation for the families of the dead and injured, as well as employment for the next of kin of those who lost their lives.
The protest saw strong solidarity from fellow workers, who joined the demonstration to support the victims' families and demand accountability from the estate management for the tragic lapse.
