21 Labourers Feared Dead as Truck Plunges into Deep Gorge in Arunachal Pradesh
The accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday on the treacherous Hayuliang–Chaglagam road in the Chaglagam circle, near the India-China border.
ITANAGAR– Rescue operations intensified on Thursday after a truck carrying 21 daily-wage labourers from Assam plunged into a steep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh’s remote Anjaw district, leaving at least 21 people feared dead.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday on the treacherous Hayuliang–Chaglagam road in the Chaglagam circle, near the India-China border.
The truck, reportedly carrying workers from Tinsukia district in Assam, lost control on a sharp bend and rolled down a deep gorge, making immediate access extremely difficult due to the rugged terrain, poor visibility, and the depth of the fall.
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As of Thursday evening, rescue teams from the police, fire services, and local administration had recovered 13 bodies from the wreckage.
Search efforts for the remaining victims continued late into the night and resumed on Friday morning. Some reports suggest the truck was carrying up to 22 people, including the driver.
The deceased labourers have been tentatively identified as, Budheswar Deep,Rahul Kumar, Samir Deep, Joon Kumar, Pankaj Manki, Ajay Manki, Bijay Kumar, Abhay Bhumij, Rohit Manki, Birendra Kumar, Agar Tanti, Dhiren Chetia, Rajani Naag, Deep Gowala, Ramchabak Sonar, Sonatan Naag, Sanjay Kumar, Karan Kumar, and Jonas Munda.
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Officials from both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam are coordinating the identification process and are in touch with the families of the victims. The exact cause of the accident is under investigation, though preliminary reports point to possible loss of control on a sharp curve, a common hazard on the region’s hilly and poorly maintained roads.
The incident once again highlights the perilous conditions faced by migrant labourers travelling on remote highways in Northeast India, where sharp bends, lack of guardrails, and adverse weather frequently lead to such tragedies.
Authorities have urged caution on these routes and promised a thorough probe into the incident. Search and rescue operations are expected to continue until all victims are accounted for.
