Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), Dec 11 : The Indian Army has launched a major search and rescue operation in the higher reaches of Arunachal Pradesh after a truck carrying 22 workers from Tinsukia plunged off a cliff along the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road, leaving 18 dead and several others missing.
The operation was triggered by information received late on 10 December 2025, when a lone survivor reached the Chipra GREF Camp and reported that the truck had fallen into a gorge near KM 40 on the night of 08 December.
The accident site, about 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, according to the Indian Army.
On 11 December, Spear Corps mobilised multiple search and rescue columns, medical teams, GREF representatives, local police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Hayuliang to the area.
At 1155 hours, after about four hours of intensive search and rope descent, the truck was located 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.
The ADC Hayuliang has informed the superintendent of police of Anjaw district, who has reached the site, while the district medical officer is moving in to facilitate evacuation of casualties and mortal remains.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), requisitioned by the deputy commissioner, is also en route to reinforce the operation.
The ADC is questioning the sub-contractor of the Zila Parishad member from Chaglagam to verify the antecedents and exact number of workers hired for the project, officials said.
“Eighteen bodies have been sighted and are being retrieved using belay ropes,” the defence PRO stated in an official release.
“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,” the statement added.
