21 Assam Workers Feared Dead as Truck Plunges into Deep Gorge in Arunachal

PTI, GUWAHATI, DECEMBER 11, 2025: At least 21 workers from Assam are feared dead after a truck carrying them, reportedly to a construction site, skidded off a narrow mountain road and plunged into a deep gorge near Chaglagam in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district, delayed reports received on Thursday said.

According to sources, the mishap occurred on the high-altitude Hayuliang-Chaglagam road in the eastern part of the hill state on December 8, when the truck ferrying 22 workers from Upper Assam's Tinsukia district lost control and rolled down the steep slope, Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat said, citing the lone survivor's account.

The terrain where the mishap occurred has been described by local sources as extremely treacherous, making rescue operations very challenging. The site, approximately 12 km from Chaglagam, lies in difficult terrain with limited connectivity, and the accident had not been reported by any local agency, contractor, or civil representative until the survivor’s arrival, Rawat said in a statement.

"Eighteen bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes. The ADC of Hayuliang has informed the SP of Anjaw, who has reached the site, while the District Medical Officer is moving to facilitate evacuation of casualties and mortal remains," he said.

Rawat added that preliminary inputs from the survivor, who managed to reach the Chipra General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) camp, indicate that the truck carrying 22 workers from Tinsukia fell off a cliff on the night of December 8.

"The Indian Army has launched a major search and rescue operation in the Chaglagam region of Arunachal Pradesh. The operations were initiated based on information received late on December 10 regarding a vehicle accident along the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road near KM 40," he said.

The Defence PRO mentioned that the Army's Spear Corps, early on Thursday morning, mobilised multiple search and rescue columns, medical teams, GREF representatives, local police, NDRF personnel, and the ADC of Hayuliang.

"At 11:55 hours, after four hours of intensive search and rope descent, the truck was spotted around 200 metres below the road near KM 40 in a re-entrant, inaccessible and not visible from helicopters or the road due to dense tree cover and thick foliage," Rawat added.

The Anjaw District Administration has requisitioned the SDRF, which is en route at present. "The ADC Hayuliang is also questioning the sub-contractor of the Zila Parishad Member, Chaglagam, to verify the antecedents and exact strength of the workers hired," Rawat said.

"Despite harsh terrain and poor visibility, the Indian Army, in coordination with the civil administration and other agencies, is making all possible efforts to trace the remaining individuals and provide immediate assistance," he added.

Apart from the survivor, 18 more labourers, including the dead and missing, have been identified. They 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 Mund.