India Today NE triggers rescue: 14 youths airlifted from Arunachal river island by air force

Fourteen young people from Sadiya were successfully airlifted to safety after being trapped on a river island in Bomjir, Arunachal Pradesh, for nearly two days. The Indian Air Force conducted the rescue operation following media attention that prompted swift administrative action.

The rescue mission required coordination between multiple agencies, including the Tinsukia district administration, Sadiya sub-district officials, and an Air Force special rescue team deployed from Dibrugarh. Initial attempts by the National Disaster Response Force proved unsuccessful, leading authorities to call in air support.

The youths became stranded on the isolated island in the middle of the river, with rising water levels and difficult terrain making ground-based rescue efforts impossible. Emergency services worked around the clock to establish communication and plan the extraction.

All 14 individuals were evacuated safely and underwent immediate medical examinations upon rescue. Medical teams confirmed that despite their ordeal, the group was in good health with no serious injuries or complications.

The rescue operation was initiated following a report by India Today NE, which brought the situation to public attention. The incident underlines the critical role of rapid response mechanisms when lives hang in the balance. Media coverage of the situation enabled authorities to mobilise resources quickly, demonstrating how information flow can directly impact emergency response effectiveness.