11 December,2025 10:53 PM IST | Tinsukia | mid-day online correspondent
Police said 22 people, including the driver, were travelling in the truck when it skidded off the steep Hayuliang-Chaglagam road . Pic/PTI
At least 21 construction workers from Assam's Tinsukia district are feared dead after a minitruck carrying them plunged into a deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district, officials said on Thursday, reported the ANI.
Police said 22 people, including the driver, were travelling in the truck when it skidded off the steep Hayuliang-Chaglagam road on the night of December 8. The group was reportedly on its way to Hayuliang for construction-related work.
Tinsukia Senior Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar said that authorities in Arunachal Pradesh informed them that one person survived, while the remaining 21 are feared to have died, according to the ANI.
The accident occurred in Chaglagam Circle, a remote region near the India-China border. Due to the terrain's steepness and narrow roads, even local residents were initially unaware of the mishap.
Survivor retrieved; large-scale rescue operations launched
According to Nang Chingni Choupoo, the District Disaster Management Officer (in charge), one survivor has been rescued and handed over to Assam officials after medical treatment. She said the vehicle had overturned and fallen into a gorge, and the exact cause of the accident is still being investigated, as per the ANI.
A massive search and rescue operation has been launched by the Indian Army, ITBP, local police, civil administration and NDRF, who are battling extremely difficult terrain with dense tree cover and poor visibility.
The Army deployed multiple rescue teams after receiving information from the lone survivor, who managed to reach the Chipra GREF Camp. After four hours of intensive searching, the wreckage of the truck was located around 200 metres below the road near KM 40, the news agency reported.
Bodies spotted; retrieval in progress
The Army said that 18 bodies have been spotted and rescue teams are using ropes to bring them up. The difficult landscape is slowing down the process, but efforts continue to locate all missing workers, as per the ANI.
PM Modi expresses grief over deaths
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.
"Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," the PMO said in a post on X.
"An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the statement said.
President Murmu pays condolences to families of deceased
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday expressed grief to the families of the deceased.
In an X post, President Murmu wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
"Saddened to learn about the loss of lives in a road accident in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured," the X post read.
Rahul Gandhi condoles loss of lives
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condoled the loss of lives in Arunachal road mishap.
In an X post, Rahul Gandhi also prayed for the missing to be found and the swift recovery of the injured.
"The news of the death of several Assamese labourers due to a truck overturning into a gorge in Arunachal Pradesh is extremely heartbreaking. I extend my deepest condolences to their bereaved families. With the hope that those who are missing are found at the earliest, I pray for the swift recovery of the injured," Gandhi wrote on X.
(with ANI inputs)
