Three Central government media officials were killed, and two others were injured after the vehicle they were travelling in fell into a deep gorge about 30 km south of Mizoram’s capital Aizawl on Thursday (October 1, 2026).

The deceased were identified as Engam Pame, the Additional Director General of Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Central Bureau of Communications (CBC) regional office in Imphal; Nampibou Marinmai, Director (News) at Doordarshan Kendra Aizawl; and H. Lianvela, a staff member of the CBC’s field office in Aizawl.

Mizoram government officials said the bodies of the first two officials would be sent to their respective hometowns in Manipur after an autopsy.

According to the PIB, Pame was in Mizoram for meetings related to the Inter Media Publicity Coordination Committee and the recruitment of a translator for PIB Aizawl.

He and his colleagues travelled to Sialsuk village for an event. While returning to Aizawl, their vehicle veered off the road near Sataek village and plunged into a gorge.

The driver reportedly experienced uneasiness and was unable to move his limbs or open his eyes. He and another traveller are undergoing treatment at the Zoram Medical College and Hospital in Aizawl.

Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh, Chief Minister Lalduhoma, Mizo National Front president Zoramthanga and the Mizoram Journalists’ Association mourned the deaths of the government media officials.