New Delhi/Itanagar, Dec 11 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha and prominent Congress figure Rahul Gandhi on Thursday conveyed his sorrow regarding a tragic incident in Arunachal Pradesh, where a truck carrying approximately 22 workers from Assam plunged into a deep gorge within a challenging and remote area of the state.

According to Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, rescue teams have located 18 bodies and are in the process of retrieving them with the aid of belay ropes. In a post on his X handle, Gandhi expressed, “The reports regarding the demise of several Assamese labourers stemming from a truck accident in Arunachal Pradesh are profoundly distressing. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families. I sincerely hope the missing individuals are located soon and pray for the rapid recovery of those injured.”

Earlier on Thursday, both President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences over the unfortunate incident which occurred in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh on December 8.

The Prime Minister also declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the kin of each deceased. Those injured will receive Rs 50,000.

The accident reportedly took place on the Hayuliang-Chaglagam Road in Anjaw district on December 8, when the truck was transporting 22 labourers from Assam.

Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat stated that the Indian Army has initiated a significant search and rescue operation in the Chaglagam region of Arunachal Pradesh.

The operations commenced following information received late on Wednesday (December 10) concerning a vehicle mishap along the Hayuliang–Chaglagam route.

He mentioned that initial reports from the sole survivor, who managed to reach Chipra GREF Camp, indicate that a truck carrying 22 workers from Tinsukia in Assam fell off a cliff during the night of December 8.

The accident occurred roughly 12 km short of Chaglagam, in a location characterized by difficult terrain and limited connectivity, which had not been reported by any local agency, contractor, or civil representative until the survivor's arrival.

On Thursday, the Spear Corps of the Army mobilized multiple search and rescue teams, medical personnel, GREF representatives, local law enforcement, NDRF personnel, and the ADC of Hayuliang.

Following four hours of rigorous searching and rope descent, the truck was located around 200 meters below the roadway in a re-entrant area, which was inaccessible and obscured from view by helicopters or the road due to dense vegetation.

Rescue teams have sighted 18 bodies and are retrieving them using belay ropes.

The ADC of Hayuliang has notified the Superintendent of Police in Anjaw district, who has arrived at the scene, while the District Medical Officer is en route to facilitate the evacuation of casualties and remains.

The SDRF, requested by the Deputy Commissioner, is also on its way. The ADC of Hayuliang is questioning the subcontractor of the Zila Parishad Member of Chaglagam to verify the credentials and exact number of hired workers.

Despite the challenging terrain and poor visibility, the Indian Army, in collaboration with civil authorities and other agencies, is exerting all possible efforts to locate the remaining individuals and provide immediate assistance.