According to officials, the truck was transporting labourers along with its driver and cleaner to a construction site near Chaglagam, around 12 km from the accident location. The stretch is known for treacherous terrain, thick vegetation, and extremely limited connectivity—factors that contributed to the delay in both detection and response.
Survivor Walked for Two Days Through Dense Forest
The lone survivor, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, reportedly trekked for nearly 48 hours through dense forest and steep slopes before reaching the Chipra GREF camp on December 10. His alert led to the mobilisation of Army personnel, NDRF teams, district administration, police units, and medical staff.
Challenging Rescue Operation
Army teams reached the crash site after a four-hour descent using ropes and mountaineering equipment. Visuals from the operation show soldiers lowering themselves along near-vertical cliffs and retrieving bodies with the help of Belle ropes, a traditional indigenous rescue technique often used in remote Himalayan terrain.
By Wednesday evening, 18 bodies had been recovered from the gorge. Search efforts continue as authorities work to locate the remaining victims.
Officials said the vehicle appears to have veered off the narrow hillside road before tumbling down the slope, though the exact cause is still under investigation.
Authorities Verify Worker Identities
Anjaw’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) in Hayuliang confirmed that efforts are underway to identify all those onboard the vehicle. Local Zilla Parishad members and contractors from Chaglagam are being questioned to verify the list of workers assigned to the project.
The accident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by labourers working on remote infrastructure projects in the Northeast, particularly in districts bordering China where road construction is critical but extremely risky due to harsh geography and unpredictable weather.
Rescue operations are expected to continue until all bodies are recovered and identified. The district administration is preparing a detailed report for the state government, which may announce compensation after verification procedures are completed.
