18 dead, 3 missing after truck skids off remote Arunachal road

At least 18 people from Assam’s Tinsukia district have been confirmed dead and three others remain missing after the truck transporting them fell into a deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, officials said on Thursday. One person survived and managed to alert authorities nearly two days after the incident.

The accident occurred on the night of December 8 along the remote Hayuliang–Chaglagam Road, when the dumper carrying 22 labourers reportedly skidded off the narrow, hilly road and plunged nearly 1,000 feet into a gorge. Preliminary inputs from the lone survivor suggest the vehicle lost control on the treacherous stretch before falling off the cliff, Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat said.

The site, located about 12 km from Chaglagam, is an extremely rugged, forested area with limited connectivity. No local agency or contractor reported the mishap, and it came to light only when survivor Budheswor Deep reached the Chipra GREF camp and informed officials.

Rawat said 18 bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes. The ADC of Hayuliang has informed the Anjaw superintendent of police, who has reached the location, while the District Medical Officer is moving to facilitate evacuation of the dead and injured.

A major search-and-rescue operation was launched by the Indian Army’s Spear Corps early Thursday, following information received late on December 10. Multiple Army columns, medical teams, GREF representatives, local police, NDRF personnel and the ADC of Hayuliang were mobilised.

“At 1155 hours, after four hours of intensive search and rope descent, the vehicle was spotted around 200 metres below the road near KM 40 in a re-entrant—an area inaccessible and not visible from helicopters or the road due to dense tree cover,” Rawat said.

The Anjaw district administration has also requisitioned the SDRF, which is en route. Authorities are questioning the sub-contractor of the Zilla Parishad Member, Chaglagam, to verify the antecedents of the workers and confirm the exact number hired.

Rescue teams are facing severe challenges , including steep slopes, thick vegetation, poor visibility, and the absence of mobile connectivity. The terrain requires technical rope operations, slowing the retrieval process. Officials said harsh weather and the remoteness of the site are making operations risky and time-consuming.

Earlier, Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner Swapneel Paul said they received information about the accident around 11 am on Thursday. A team comprising the circle officer and police personnel has been dispatched to Arunachal Pradesh and is coordinating with local authorities.

Tinsukia Circle Officer Jaideep Rajak, who is on the way to the spot, said the area is so remote that accurate updates will be available only after officials physically reach the site. “Initial reports indicate the workers were engaged by a private contractor for a project in Hayuliang,” he said.

Tinsukia Senior Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar said the 22 labourers had gone to Arunachal Pradesh to construct a hostel. While 18 bodies have been recovered or sighted and three remain missing, one person survived. The victims hail from Dhelaghat in Gillapukri Tea Estate and include 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.