Dibrugarh, June 11: Three people lost their lives and two others were seriously injured after a vehicle plunged nearly 200 metres down a mountainside on the Migging-Tuting road in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district, in what is being seen as yet another reminder of the dangers posed by landslides in the state’s remote border regions.

The Tata Nexon carrying five occupants reportedly skidded off the road after a landslide struck the stretch near Migging on Wednesday.

The deceased have been identified as Ottu Nitik, Bami Nitik and Olek Tali.

What makes the tragedy even more devastating is that the two injured survivors could not be immediately evacuated to Yingkiong for advanced medical treatment because landslides and road blockades had cut off access along the route.

The accident occurred on one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most challenging mountain corridors. The Migging-Tuting sector, located deep in the Upper Siang district near the international border, routinely faces road disruptions during the monsoon due to landslides, slope failures and heavy rainfall.

A massive rescue operation involving the Indian Army, ITBP and civil administration was launched immediately after the accident. Rescue teams trekked through dense forest, rain-soaked slopes and unstable terrain for more than nine hours to recover the victims.

Officials said the operation highlighted the severe logistical challenges faced by emergency responders in Arunachal’s border districts, where a single landslide can cut off entire communities.

ADC Tuting Pandov Perme confirmed that rescue operations were completed successfully and the mortal remains were handed over to family members for the last rites.

Meanwhile, the District Disaster Management Office said ex gratia assistance of ₹4 lakh each would be provided to the next of kin of the deceased under State Disaster Response Fund norms. Financial assistance for the treatment of the injured will also be extended as per applicable guidelines.

As monsoon activity intensifies across the Northeast, the tragedy is likely to renew concerns over road safety and disaster preparedness on Arunachal Pradesh’s vulnerable mountain highways, where landslides are increasingly becoming a recurring threat rather than an isolated event.

For families travelling through the state’s remote mountain districts, a landslide is rarely just a traffic disruption. In many cases, it can become a matter of life and death.