In a tragic incident in Arunachal Pradesh, the bodies of seven workers were recovered four days after a minitruck plunged into a deep gorge in Anjaw district. The accident, which occurred on Monday on the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road, initially left at least 21 workers from Tinsukia, Assam, feared dead. Only one survivor, Budheswor Deep, managed to climb to a nearby army camp and alert authorities. He is currently undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, where Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited him to check on his condition.
The rescue operation, led by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with support from local authorities, faced significant challenges due to the rough and remote terrain. The accident site is approximately 60 kilometers from Hayuliang, in a deep gorge, making recovery efforts extremely difficult. Rescuers used technical rope methods to retrieve the bodies, which were then handed over to civil authorities in the presence of district representatives from Tinsukia.
Nang Chingni Choupoo, District Disaster Management Officer of Anjaw, said the operation was complicated, with teams suspending work at night due to darkness. Six bodies were recovered on Friday, and the seventh on Saturday, marking the end of the challenging recovery mission.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances leading to the accident. The minitruck carried 22 people, including the driver, when it lost control and fell into the gorge. This tragedy highlights the dangers of transporting laborers in hilly regions with treacherous roads and underscores the importance of safety measures in remote areas.
Local communities and families of the deceased have been informed, and the bodies will be brought back to Tinsukia for last rites. The incident has left a deep impact on the community, with officials calling for stricter enforcement of transportation safety norms to prevent such accidents in the future.
The lone survivor’s account remains crucial in piecing together the events that led to this devastating accident.
