Delhi Vehicle Plunges 300 Feet Into Arunachal’s Lohit River: 1 Dead, 3 Missing in Tragic Crash

ANJAW, Arunachal Pradesh — A major road accident claimed at least one life and left three others missing after a Delhi-registered commercial utility vehicle carrying 10 passengers plunged nearly 300 feet into the fast-flowing Lohit River in Arunachal Pradesh’s remote Anjaw district.

Six other passengers sustained severe injuries in the crash and were rescued in a swift multi-agency emergency operation.

The accident occurred on a steep, winding stretch of the highway in the high-altitude Anjaw district, located near the easternmost frontier of India.

According to preliminary local reports, the driver of the Mahindra DI vehicle—bearing a Delhi registration number—lost control along a sharp curve, causing the vehicle to skid off the narrow mountain road and tumble hundreds of feet down the rocky embankment before crashing into the raging waters below.

"The terrain at the crash site is extremely steep and treacherous. Rescuers had to trek down nearly 300 feet of rugged slope to reach the wreckage and extract the survivors."— Local First Responder

Upon receiving the alert, local administration, police personnel, and emergency responders—supported by courageous local villagers—rushed to the scene to launch a challenging search and rescue effort. Rescuers managed to pull seven individuals from the treacherous gorge. Tragically, one person was pronounced dead at the scene due to fatal injuries sustained during the fall.

The six surviving passengers, suffering from severe trauma and multiple fractures, were stabilized on-site before being transported to the nearest medical facility in the district for urgent treatment. Emergency services remain locked in a race against time to locate the three missing passengers.

Search and rescue operations along the Lohit River are facing severe delays due to a combination of treacherous natural conditions. Teams are struggling against steep, vertical cliffs that limit physical access, while fast-moving, turbulent river currents pose major hazards for divers and boat crews. Additionally, rapidly shifting mountain weather and low visibility continue to complicate both aerial and ground tracking efforts.

Local authorities have initiated a formal investigation into the exact cause of the crash. Investigators are evaluating several potential factors, including mechanical failure, brake collapse, severe driver fatigue, and the hazardous condition of the high-altitude mountain road.

Tragedies along the remote highway corridors of northeastern India frequently highlight the ongoing perils of navigating narrow, winding mountain routes, where steep drops and unpredictable weather pose constant threats to motorists.