Indian Army launches search and rescue operation in higher reaches of Arunachal Pradesh

The Indian Army has launched a major Search and Rescue operation in the Chaglagam region of Arunachal Pradesh. The operations were initiated based on information received late night on three days back regarding a vehicle accident along the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road near KM 40. Preliminary inputs from the lone survivor, who managed to reach Chipra GREF Camp, indicate that a truck carrying 22 workers from Tinsukia fell off a cliff on the night of 08 December. The accident site, approximately 12 km short of Chaglagam, lies in difficult terrain with limited connectivity and had not been reported by any local agency, contractor or civil representative until the survivor’s arrival.

Spear Corps mobilised multiple Search and Rescue columns, medical teams, GREF representatives, local police, NDRF personnel and the ADC Hayuliang. At 1155 hours, 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, inaccessible and not visible from helicopters or the road due to dense tree cover and thick foliage. Eighteen bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes. ADC Hayuliang has informed SP Anjaw, who has reached the site, while the District Medical Officer is moving to facilitate evacuation of casualties and mortal remains. SDRF, requisitioned by the DC, is en route. ADC Hayuliang is also questioning the sub-contractor of the Zila Parishad Member, Chaglagam, to verify the antecedents and exact strength of the workers hired. Despite harsh terrain and poor visibility, the Indian Army, in coordination with civil administration and other agencies is making all possible efforts to trace the remaining individuals and provide immediate assistance.

A possibly lone survivor among 22 people on board a truck that plunged into a gorge in a remote location of Arunachal Pradesh clambered out of the wreckage, climbed 200m and trudged nearly 4km to reach a BRO camp to report the tragedy almost 48 hours later. Of the victims, 19 bodies had been retrieved. Army teams continue to search for the other two.