A tragic accident in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district has claimed the lives of at least 18 people, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased. The incident, which occurred on Monday night along the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road, involved a mini-truck carrying 22 labourers that plunged into a deep gorge.
The accident came to light on Thursday after a lone survivor managed to climb out of the gorge and walk approximately 4 kilometers to a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp. The survivor alerted officials, who then initiated search and rescue operations. The injured survivor has been shifted to Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh.
The Indian Army launched a search and rescue operation in the higher reaches of Arunachal Pradesh. 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. Eighteen bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes. The District Medical Officer is en route to facilitate the evacuation of casualties and mortal remains. Efforts are underway to collect information on the other four individuals.
The accident site, approximately 12 km short of Chaglagam, lies in difficult terrain with limited connectivity and had not been reported by any local agency, contractor or civil representative until the survivor's arrival. The workers were from Gelapukhuri tea estate in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district and were traveling to Hayuliang for construction-related work.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his grief over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance for the victims and their families. "Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh," the Prime Minister stated. "My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured." An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.
In addition to the Prime Minister's announcement, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state government is providing all necessary assistance. "Our district administration is in touch with relevant authorities in Arunachal Pradesh and all necessary assistance is being provided," Sarma stated. "Relief and rescue teams are prioritising locating missing or unaccounted people at the earliest. We are also ensuring that medical help is provided to those in need. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families in this tough time."
The search and rescue operation involved multiple search and rescue columns, medical teams, local police, NDRF personnel and officials. The focus remains on locating the missing individuals and providing support to the affected families.
