At least 18 people from Assam's Tinsukia district have been killed and three others are missing after the truck they were travelling in fell into a gorge in Arunachal Pradesh, officials said on Thursday. Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh.
The incident took place on Hayuliang-Chaglagam Road in Anjaw district in the eastern part of the hill state. Tinsukia District Commissioner Swapneel Paul said that investigators received information about the accident at 11 am today, Thursday.
“Around 11 am today, we received information that a vehicle had fallen into a gorge in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district. Accordingly, we contacted the DCs of Anjaw and Teju for confirmation,” the official told news wire PTI.
Arunachal Pradesh police said that the private contractor has been taken to the police station for questioning.
PM Modi, President Murmu extend condolences
PM Modi condoled the deaths ."Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," he posted on X.
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief over the tragic deaths. “Saddened to learn about the loss of lives in a road accident in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” the President wrote.
One of the workers, Budheswor Deep, managed to escape from the spot and called up his relatives.
Apart from Deep, 18 more labourers, including the dead and the missing, have been identified. They are 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, reported PTI.
The incident in Arunachal Pradesh comes just days after another accident on 7 December, when six people were killed after a car fell into a 600-foot-deep gorge at Saptashring Garh Ghat in Nashik’s Kalwan taluka.
