22 Labourers Feared Dead After Vehicle Falls Into Gorge in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw District

In a tragic accident in Arunachal Pradesh, at least 22 labourers from Assam are feared dead after a vehicle carrying them plunged into a deep gorge in Anjaw district on Thursday. So far, rescue teams have recovered 13 bodies, while the search continues for the remaining victims.

Vehicle Lost Control in Hilly Terrain

According to initial reports, the vehicle was navigating a steep and narrow hilly road when the driver allegedly lost control, causing it to tumble into a deep gorge. The labourers were reportedly travelling from Tinsukia district in Assam to a worksite in the region.

Local authorities, along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and district police, immediately launched a rescue operation. Officials said the terrain and poor visibility have made the operation extremely challenging.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Rescue teams are working tirelessly to retrieve those still missing. Officials fear the death toll may rise as the gorge is deep and the vehicle suffered extensive damage.
Authorities are also trying to determine the exact cause of the accident, though slippery roads, sharp bends, and difficult terrain are believed to have played a role.

Recent Similar Incident in Nashik

This tragedy comes just days after another deadly road accident. On 7 December, six people were killed when a car fell into a 600-foot-deep gorge in Saptashring Garh Ghat in Nashik’s Kalwan taluka.

The victims—identified as Kirti Patel (50), Raseela Patel (50), Vitthal Patel (65), Lata Patel (60), Vachan Patel (60) and Maniben Patel (70)—died on the spot. The Toyota Innova they were travelling in suffered massive damage.
Senior officials, including Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil, supervised the rescue and recovery operations.

Growing Concerns Over Road Safety in Hilly Regions

Both incidents highlight the alarming rise in road accidents in hilly regions across India. Experts emphasize the need for improved road infrastructure, stricter safety measures, and better driver training to prevent similar tragedies.