ITANAGAR, Dec 11: A devastating road accident in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district has claimed the lives of eighteen laborers from Tinsukia, Assam, according to district officials. The tragedy occurred on Thursday when a truck carrying 22 workers skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge along the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road.
Initial reports suggest that the workers were engaged by a private contractor on a project in Hayuliang.
The Fatal Descent
The incident took place around 11 AM on December 11, approximately 12km from Chaglagam, in an area notorious for its lack of connectivity. The vehicle, reportedly a dumper, skidded off the road and plummeted nearly 200 meters down.
Tinsukia District Commissioner Swapneel Paul confirmed receiving initial information about the vehicle plunging into the gorge. The Tinsukia SP stated that out of the 22 people in the vehicle, 21 are reportedly dead.
Rescue Efforts Underway
A massive large-scale search and rescue mission was immediately launched. The team comprises multiple rescue teams, including:
- Army personnel
- GREP personnel
- Local police
- NDRF teams
- ADC of Hayuliang
According to Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat, a combined team, including the SP of Anjaw and the District Medical Officer, reached the site and is coordinating the recovery and evacuation. “Eighteen bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes,” Rawat said.
Victims Identified
Eighteen of the deceased and missing workers have been identified as:
- Rahul Kumar
- Sonir Deep
- Arjun Kumar
- Pan-kaj Manki
- Ajay Manki
- Bijay Kumar
- Abhoy Bhumij
- Rohit Manki
- Birendra Kumar
- Agor Tamli
- Dhiren Chaitriya
- Ropoti Nag
- Deep Gowa-la
- Ramsebok Suna
- Sona-ton Nag
- Sanjay Kumar
- Karan Kumar
- Jomesh Manda
The workers were all reportedly from Dhelaghat of Gillapukri Tea Estate in Assam.
PM Condoles Deaths
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep distress over the loss of lives in the Anjaw tragedy.
“Condoling the death of workers in an accident in Arunachal Pradesh. Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the Prime Minister said.
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