The sole survivor of a horrific road accident in Arunachal Pradesh’s remote Anjaw district continues to fight for his life at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh. Budheswar Deep, a 23-year-old labourer from Assam’s Tinsukia district, sustained severe head and chest injuries, internal trauma, and shock in the crash that claimed at least 18 lives.
The tragedy unfolded on the night of December 8, 2025, when a truck carrying 22 labourers plunged into a deep gorge approximately 40 km from Hayuliang on the treacherous Hayuliang-Chaglagam road, near the India-China border. The vehicle, transporting workers engaged in construction activities, likely veered off the road in the evening or late night hours. The incident remained undetected for two days due to the area’s extreme remoteness and lack of connectivity.
The accident came to light only on December 10, when the gravely injured Deep miraculously crawled out of the gorge, climbed nearly 300 metres to the road, and trekked through dense forest to reach the nearby Chipra GREF (General Reserve Engineer Force) Camp of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). His arrival alerted authorities, triggering a massive search and rescue operation involving the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), NDRF, and local administration.
Survivor’s Critical Condition
Deep was initially provided first aid at a BRO camp before being evacuated to Tinsukia Civil Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to AMCH in Dibrugarh for advanced treatment. Hospital authorities, including Superintendent Dr Dhrubajyoti Bhuyan, confirmed that a specialised medical team is attending to him round-the-clock.
“The patient is in critical condition with extensive injuries. He is under close monitoring and receiving the best possible care, but he remains not out of danger,” Dr Bhuyan stated.
Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner Swapnanil Paul coordinated the referral, emphasising the urgency given the severity of Deep’s trauma.
Ongoing Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Rescue operations in the challenging terrain have recovered multiple bodies, with reports confirming 18 deaths and three persons still missing. The site, shrouded in dense foliage and inaccessible, has required rope systems and specialised equipment for retrieval. Operations continue amid adverse weather and logistical hurdles.
The labourers, primarily from Tinsukia’s Gelapukhuri Tea Estate area, were heading to or from a construction site in Chaglagam. Families of the victims have been plunged into grief, with authorities extending support for identification and last rites.
Official Responses and Broader Concerns
The incident has highlighted the perils of Arunachal’s mountainous roads, especially in border districts like Anjaw, where poor infrastructure and harsh conditions contribute to frequent accidents. Calls have intensified for improved road safety, better maintenance, and emergency response mechanisms in remote areas.
This tragedy adds to a series of road mishaps in the Northeast’s hilly regions, underscoring the risks faced by migrant labourers supporting vital infrastructure projects.
As Budheswar Deep battles for survival, his extraordinary escape serves as a poignant reminder of human resilience amid unimaginable adversity. Authorities remain hopeful for his recovery while pressing ahead with rescue efforts for the missing.
(Source: India Today NE)
