Guwahati | Overcrowding and the possibility of a sudden medical emergency affecting the driver have emerged as key areas of investigation into the Kaziranga road accident that claimed 26 lives in Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday announced a total ex-gratia assistance of Rs 7 lakh for the next of kin of each victim.

The assistance comprises Rs 5 lakh announced by the state government and an additional Rs 2 lakh from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. Sarma announced the relief package after visiting the accident site and inspecting the mangled remains of the passenger vehicle.

Outlining the preliminary findings, the Chief Minister said the traveller was carrying 41 passengers despite having a permitted capacity of only 26. The vehicle also had 10 previous traffic challans, raising questions about its compliance with road safety regulations.

Investigators are examining why the vehicle suddenly veered into the path of an oncoming vehicle and collided head-on, even though the road ahead appeared relatively clear in preliminary video footage.

Sarma said possible intoxication, a stroke or another medical condition affecting the driver’s ability to control the vehicle were among the possibilities being examined. He stressed that the driver’s medical condition would have to be thoroughly investigated before any conclusion could be reached.

The Chief Minister also confirmed the authenticity of dashcam footage circulating on social media. According to him, the recording was uploaded to the cloud and subsequently shared with the authorities by the vehicle’s company. The footage reportedly shows a cyclist near the accident site, a detail that investigators will also examine.

Compliance with speed restrictions along the Kaziranga stretch is another aspect under scrutiny. Sarma said most vehicles were fitted with speed-limiting devices, but their functioning could be affected if connecting cables were damaged or disconnected. He added that the driver, who regularly operated on the route, was expected to be familiar with the speed restrictions in the area.

Meanwhile, the death toll remained at 26, with several injured passengers undergoing treatment at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital and hospitals in Golaghat and Bokakhat. Specialised doctors were brought in from Guwahati to assist with the treatment of the injured and the post-mortem process.

Ten post-mortem examinations had been completed by noon on Saturday, while the remaining procedures were underway. The administration was arranging to transport the bodies to their respective families after completion of the formalities.

Sarma said ministers would also visit the bereaved families and extend government assistance after the last rites. The investigation is expected to establish the precise circumstances behind the crash, including the role of overloading, the driver’s condition and possible violations of traffic safety norms.