Eighteen people from Assam were killed and three others went missing after a truck carrying labourers plunged into a deep gorge in Arunachal Pradesh late Wednesday night. The incident occurred near the Taksing area in Upper Subansiri district, a remote and hilly region close to the China border, where rescue operations are challenging due to difficult terrain and limited connectivity.
According to officials, the victims were part of a group of labourers travelling in a truck when the driver reportedly lost control on a narrow stretch of road, causing the vehicle to skid off the cliff. Local authorities, police teams, and disaster response personnel reached the spot after receiving information, but most occupants were found dead due to the severity of the fall.
Search operations for the three missing individuals are underway, with personnel trekking through rugged slopes and dense forest areas to trace possible survivors. The injured, if any, are feared to be in critical condition due to the remote location and delay in accessing medical assistance.
The district administration has informed the Assam government about the tragedy, and efforts are being made to identify the deceased and coordinate the transportation of bodies to their native places. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and assured all necessary support to the families of the victims.
Authorities in Arunachal Pradesh have ordered an inquiry into the incident, including verifying whether the truck was overloaded or violated safety guidelines on the narrow mountain route. The accident has once again highlighted the risks faced by workers and commuters travelling through the region’s treacherous roads, especially in areas where road expansion and construction activities are ongoing.
