21 Labourers From Assam Feared Dead After Truck Falls Into Arunachal Gorge
5 days after a truck carrying 22 labourers from Assam’s Tinsukia plunged into a deep gorge along the Hayuliang–Chaglagam Road in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, 14 bodies have been recovered so far. One person was found alive, while 7 others remain missing, with no trace yet, even as the rescue operations continue.
Speaking to Northeast Live, Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Paul said, “At around 11 am we received information that a vehicle had fallen into a gorge in Anjaw district. We contacted the DCs of Anjaw and Tezu for confirmation. Both deputy commissioners informed us that rescue teams have so far recovered 14 bodies and one survivor. 7 others are still missing.”
DC Swapnil Paul said that a team from Tinsukia, including Circle Officers and police personnel, has been dispatched to assist in the operations.
The tragic accident occurred on December 7 at Lailang Basti, located between Mithungna and Mailang Basti.
The truck is believed to have skidded off the hilly road and fallen nearly 1,000 feet into a steep gorge.
Details surrounding the accident remain unclear, and authorities are still trying to determine what led the vehicle to crash into the gorge.
The workers, all from Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia, were travelling to Hayuliang for construction-related work when the vehicle met with the fatal mishap.
Of the 22 labourers, the identities of 19 have been confirmed. They are: 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.
The identities of two other workers are yet to be established.
Also read: Arunachal Pradesh: 21 dead after truck carrying workers from Assam falls off cliff at Hayuliang
