Six workers killed in Arunachal accident brought home to Tinsukia; death toll rises to 17

An atmosphere of deep grief prevailed at the Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia as the mortal remains of six workers, Abhay Bhumiya, Agar Tanti, Rajani Nag, Rahul Kumar, Jonas Munda, and Sanjay Kumar, reached their homes, days after they lost their lives in a road accident in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. Scenes of mourning were witnessed among family members and fellow workers.

Meanwhile, rescue teams continued operations at the accident site for the second consecutive day, during which the bodies of 11 workers were recovered. With the latest recoveries, the death toll has risen to 17 so far. The bodies recovered on the second day were sent for post-mortem examination.

Officials said the rescue operation was suspended later in the day due to fading daylight and is scheduled to resume the next day, as efforts continue to trace any remaining missing persons.

The accident occurred on December 8 in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, when a mini dumper carrying 22 labourers plunged into a deep gorge after veering off the Hayuliang–Metengliang–Chaglagam (HMC) Road near Chaglagam Circle. Most of the labourers onboard were from Tinsukia district in Assam.

Rescue operations in the remote mountainous terrain continue to face challenges due to the depth of the ravine and difficult access conditions.