GUWAHATI: Five persons from Assam's Lakhimpur district lost their lives after the SUV they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge along National Highway 13 in Arunachal Pradesh's East Kameng district.
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The victims had reportedly travelled from Bhorolua village to Seppa for business purposes when the accident occurred near Tatatara village under Seppa Circle, close to the Pagaso stream.
According to reports, the SUV lost control while navigating a hilly stretch of road and veered off the highway before plunging nearly 300 feet down a hillside into a deep gorge. Four occupants died on the spot, while another succumbed to injuries while being rushed to a hospital.
The deceased have been identified as Bulbul Ali, Noor Hussain, Abul Hussain, Amzad Ali and Saidul Islam, all residents of Bhorolua village under the Nowboicha Revenue Circle in Lakhimpur district.
Following the incident, rescue teams rushed to the accident site and launched a recovery operation. The bodies of all five occupants were retrieved from the gorge and taken for necessary formalities.
Eyewitnesses reportedly alleged that slippery road conditions caused by rain may have contributed to the mishap, leading to the driver losing control of the vehicle. However, officials said the exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined and is under investigation.