Dibrugarh: Tinsukia District Commissioner Swapnil Paul on Friday said they had received the lone survivor of the tragic accident, Budheswor Deep, at 3 pm in Tinsukia and he was immediately taken to Tinsukia Medical College for treatment and after initial treatment shifted to AMCH, Dibrugarh.
“We received the lone survivor, Budheswor Deep, on Thursday at around 3 pm, and after initial treatment he was shifted to Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh. It seems that he has internal injuries but they do not look fatal. A team from Tinsukia left yesterday and today they have reached the accident spot. We are in touch with the Anjaw district administration,” Tinsukia DC Swapnil Paul said.
He added, “The process of recovering the bodies has started from early morning. It is one of the most critical processes because some bodies have been spotted inside the vehicle. The rescue teams have been working hard to retrieve the bodies.”
Taking to X, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “Deeply saddened by the tragic vehicle accident in Anjaw. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
“In this difficult moment, I extend my sincere gratitude to the Indian Army, BRO, the NDRF, and the local administration for their swift response, rescue operations, and tireless efforts in such challenging terrain,” Khandu said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths and announced financial assistance. He said ₹2 lakh will be given to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. In a statement, the PMO said: “Distressed by the loss of lives… My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
Assam minister Bimal Borah and Tinsukia MLA Sanjay Kisan went to Gelaphukuri Tea Estate and spoke with the victims’ families, assuring them of all help.
The rescue operation has been underway since Friday morning. The Indian Army, BRO and NDRF teams have been engaged in the rescue and search operations.
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic incident in Anjaw district, where 21 labourers from Tinsukia, travelling to Chaglagam for work, met with a devastating accident on Monday night. As of now, 17 labourers have been located, 4 are still missing, and one has survived this horrific mishap,” said APCC president Bosiram Siram.
These 19 identified labourers were from Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia. They are: Budheswar Deep, Rahul Kumar, Samir Deep, Joon Kumar, Pankaj Manki, Ajay Manki, Bijay Kumar, Abhay Bhumij, Rohit Manki, Birendra Kumar, Agar Tanti, Dhiren Chetia, Rajani Naag, Deep Gowala, Ramchabak Sonar, Sonatan Naag, Sanjay Kumar, Karan Kumar and Jonas Munda.
Twenty-two workers from Tinsukia district had travelled to remote Arunachal Pradesh for construction work — but their vehicle plunged into a deep gorge on the treacherous Hayuliang–Chaglagam Road on December 8, leaving 21 feared dead and only one survivor.
The lone survivor has been identified as Budheswar Deep (23), who managed to escape with injuries. The rest of the workers, most of them residents of Gelapukhuri Tea Estate, had no inkling that this journey would be their last.
On the morning of December 8, around 6 am, 19 workers began their journey from Gelapukhuri for what they believed was a modest construction assignment — building a hostel in Anjaw district. But somewhere along the dangerously narrow hillside road, their vehicle skidded and tumbled into a gorge, reportedly with 22 workers onboard.
For two days, families anxiously tried calling their loved ones. Phones rang unanswered.
“We kept trying. My brother’s phone was switched off. Today we learnt he is no more,” said a grief-stricken Roshan Kisan, brother of deceased worker Rahul Kumar.
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