Itanagar, Dec 15: The district administration in Anjaw, Arunachal Pradesh, on Monday officially concluded the multi-agency search and rescue operation following a tragic mini-truck accident that claimed 20 lives. One person survived the incident.

Anjaw Deputy Commissioner Millo Kojin stated that rescue teams recovered 20 bodies and rescued the lone survivor after four days of intensive operations. The search, launched on December 11 near Lailiang around 40 km from Hayuliang sub-division ended at 10 a.m. on Monday after exhaustive efforts.

The accident occurred on the night of December 8 along the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road. The mini-truck was carrying 21 labourers from Tinsukia district in Assam, including the driver. Tinsukia police later confirmed the number of occupants as 21, revising earlier estimates of 22.

The crash came to light on December 10 evening when the sole survivor reached a nearby Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) camp to alert authorities. Rescue operations involved the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, BRTF, local police, and district officials, who faced challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions.

The NDRF has been released after completing the recovery operation and handing over the bodies to relatives following legal procedures. DC Kojin, also chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, praised the coordinated efforts of all agencies and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.