22 Killed In Major Truck Accident In Arunachal Pradesh

Tezpur: In a shocking incident, as many as 22 people were killed after a vehicle carrying laborers from Assam's Tinsukia district fell into a gorge in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. In the road mishap, one sustained severe injuries.

It is to be noted here that the accident occured after the vehicle fell into a deep gorge on the road between Hayuliang and Saglagam in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district.

What the initial report stated?

Soon after the accident, the Indian Army launched a major search and rescue operation in the Chaglagam region of Arunachal Pradesh. According to the reports of ANI, the operations were initiated based on information received late on 10 December 2025 regarding a vehicle accident along the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road near KM 40. Preliminary inputs from the lone survivor, who managed to reach Chipra GREF Camp, indicate that a truck carrying 22 workers from Tinsukia fell off a cliff on the night of 08 December. 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.

It is to be noted here that on December 11, Spear Corps mobilised multiple Search and Rescue columns, medical teams, GREF representatives, local police, NDRF personnel and the ADC Hayuliang. At 1155 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. Eighteen bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes.

ADC Hayuliang has informed SP Anjaw, who has reached the site, while the District Medical Officer is moving to facilitate evacuation of casualties and mortal remains. SDRF, requisitioned by the DC, is en route. 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. Despite harsh terrain and poor visibility, the Indian Army, in coordination with civil administration and other agencies is making all possible efforts to trace the remaining individuals and provide immediate assistance, as per ANI.

According to the statement of an official, “They died on the spot. The Toyota Innova vehicle, which had seven passengers, suffered heavy damage. The deceased have been identified as Kirti Patel (50), Raseela Patel (50), Vitthal Patel (65), Lata Patel (60), Vachan Patel (60) and Maniben Patel (70). Superintendent of police Balasaheb Patil is supervising rescue operations."