New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief over the deaths caused by a tragic accident in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district and announced financial assistance for the victims and their families.

In a message shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on X, Modi said he was deeply pained by the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also wished a quick recovery to those injured in the mishap. As announced by the PM, the next of kin of each deceased will receive ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), while the injured will be given ₹50,000.

Authorities have said that at least 21 people from Assam’s Tinsukia district are feared to have died in the accident. The victims were among 22 individuals — including the driver — travelling in a minitruck that plunged into a deep gorge along the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road in Anjaw district.

Tinsukia Senior Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar told ANI that one person survived the crash, according to information shared by Arunachal Pradesh officials. The group was reportedly on its way to Hayuliang for construction-related work when the vehicle skidded off a narrow hilly stretch on December 8.

District Disaster Management Officer (in-charge) Nang Chingni Choupoo said the incident occurred in the remote Chaglagam Circle near the India-China border. The accident went unnoticed initially due to the challenging terrain, and authorities received confirmation only on the night of December 10. She added that the lone survivor reported that 22 labourers were on board when the truck overturned.

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A combined search and rescue operation involving the Indian Army, ITBP and the district administration is underway. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been deployed. According to officials, the Army has spotted 18 bodies roughly 200 meters below the road, and efforts continue to retrieve the victims. The sole survivor has been handed over to Assam authorities after receiving medical care.