Tragedy Unfolds: 18 Labourers Killed in Arunachal Pradesh Gorge Accident
Image Source: Internet
A devastating accident near Metengliang in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district has claimed the lives of 18 labourers. The workers, who were on their way to Chaglagam for construction work, were travelling in a truck that skidded off a narrow mountain road and plunged into a deep gorge on December 8. The group of 22 labourers had left Assam's Tinsukia district on December 7, but their associates raised an alarm when they failed to arrive on December 10. A survivor, who was injured in the accident, reached a Border Roads Task Force camp, sparking a search and rescue operation involving the army, Border Roads Organisation, local police, and district administration. Preliminary investigations suggest the accident occurred around 11km from Chaglagam, with the vehicle falling into the gorge between 8pm and 9pm. The tragedy went unreported due to lack of mobile connectivity in the region, but a survivor's statement helped police locate the crash site. The deceased have been identified as 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 Munda. 18 bodies have been recovered so far, but navigating the deep gorge has posed significant challenges. The labourers were residents of the Gilapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia district of Assam, and their families are yet to be notified about the tragedy. A National Disaster Response Force team has been requisitioned to assist in the search and rescue efforts.
