In a tragic incident in Arunachal Pradesh, at least 18 people lost their lives when a minitruck carrying 22 labourers from Tinsukia fell off a cliff into a 200-metre deep gorge along the Indo-China border in Anjaw district. The accident occurred on the night of December 8, 2025, on the Hayuliang-Chaglagam Road in the eastern part of the hilly state, but it came to light only two days later, when a lone survivor managed to reach a nearby camp and alert authorities.

The minitruck, according to preliminary reports, skidded off the road between 8 pm and 9 pm on Monday, roughly 11 km from Chaglagam. The vehicle plunged into a steep gorge, making the accident site extremely difficult to access due to dense tree cover, thick foliage, and rugged terrain. The fall proved fatal for 18 people, while three others were initially reported missing.

Miraculous survival

The lone survivor sustained severe injuries, including head and facial fractures, but managed to endure the harsh conditions and traverse the challenging terrain to reach the Chipra General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) camp. His arrival enabled authorities to pinpoint the approximate crash location and launch a coordinated search and rescue operation.

Anjaw Superintendent of Police, Anurag Dwivedi, noted that the survivor’s statement was critical in locating the minitruck. Defence PRO Lt Col Mahender Rawat said that 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 that was inaccessible and not visible from helicopters or the road.

Delayed reporting of the accident

The accident went unreported for nearly two days, as no local authority or agency had knowledge of the crash until the survivor reached the GREF camp. Rawat explained that the survivor, after reaching the highway, sought help from locals, who captured his picture and shared it on social media. The authorities were alerted following this, and the survivor was later shifted to Assam via Tezu for advanced medical treatment.

SP Dwivedi added that when the labourers did not arrive at their destinations by December 10, their associates reported them missing at the Hayuliang police station. The police then activated local resources to trace the missing workers. During this process, officers were informed by a Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) camp that an injured man had arrived claiming that his truck had crashed with 21 others on board.

Coordinated search and rescue

Following the survivor’s account, teams from the army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), local police, and district administration were mobilised for a search and rescue operation. The challenging terrain, combined with the remote location, made the operation particularly difficult, but the survivor’s timely information enabled authorities to locate the crash site.

The incident highlights the risks faced by labourers and workers travelling in remote and rugged regions, particularly along strategic border areas where access and connectivity are limited. The authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the accident, while the survivor receives medical care for his injuries.

This tragedy also underscores the importance of rapid communication and local support mechanisms in such remote areas. Without the survivor’s perseverance in reaching help, the crash might have remained undiscovered for an even longer period, delaying rescue and emergency response efforts.

Authorities have reiterated the need for stricter safety protocols for vehicles carrying workers along hilly and treacherous roads. Measures under consideration include better road maintenance, vehicle condition checks, and ensuring that drivers are trained for mountain driving, particularly in regions prone to landslides or sudden road skids.

The accident has deeply impacted the families of the victims, and officials are coordinating with local administrations to provide support and assistance. Meanwhile, the survivor’s extraordinary endurance and courage in navigating the harsh terrain to alert authorities has been widely acknowledged.

The focus now remains on recovering any remaining bodies, supporting the injured, and preventing such tragedies in the future through enhanced safety measures for transportation in Arunachal Pradesh and similar high-risk areas.