18 Killed as Truck Plunges Into Gorge in Arunachal
Massive multi-agency rescue underway; victims were Assam labourers travelling to a work site
GG News Bureau
Itanagar, 11th Dec: At least 18 people were killed and three remain missing after a truck carrying labourers from Assam’s Tinsukia district plunged into a deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The tragedy occurred on December 8 along the remote Hayuliang–Chaglagam Road when a dumper transporting 22 workers skidded off the mountain track and fell nearly 1,000 feet. The accident went unreported for two days due to the remoteness of the location, and the alert was raised only when the lone survivor, Budheswor Deep, reached a General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) camp on Wednesday morning.
According to Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat, the crash site—around 12 km from Chaglagam—is in rugged terrain with dense foliage, making ground access extremely challenging. “Eighteen bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes. A massive search and rescue operation has been launched,” he said.
The Indian Army’s Spear Corps mobilised multiple rescue teams at dawn on Thursday, supported by GREF engineers, local police, NDRF personnel, medical units, and the Anjaw district administration. Around 11:55 am, the wreckage was located about 200 metres below the roadway, hidden from aerial sight due to thick vegetation.
The Anjaw District Administration has also requisitioned SDRF teams, while officials are questioning contractors to determine the exact number and identity of workers engaged for the project.
In neighbouring Assam, Tinsukia district officials confirmed that the labourers were residents of Dhelaghat in the Gillapukri Tea Estate and had travelled to Arunachal for a private construction assignment. Senior Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar said 21 of the 22 workers are feared dead.
Families learned of the tragedy only after survivor Deep contacted relatives, prompting authorities to verify the incident. A Tinsukia team, comprising revenue and police officials, has reached Tezu and is moving toward the accident site.
Among the identified victims are Rahul Kumar, Somir Deep, Arjun Kumar, Pankaj Manki, Ajay Manki, Bijay Kumar, Abhoy Bhumij, Rohit Manki, Birendra Kumar, Agor Tanti, Dhiren Chatriya, Rojoni Nag, Deep Gowala, Ramsebak Suna, Sonaton Nag, Sanjay Kumar, Karan Kumar and Junash Munda.
Rescue efforts continue amid harsh terrain, poor visibility, and challenging weather conditions, with teams racing to locate the remaining missing labourers.
