One dead 2 injured 8 missing as tourist vehicle plunges into Teesta river in Sikkim

PTI, Gangtok, May 30, 2025 : One person was killed, two injured and eight others missing when a vehicle carrying 11 tourists plunged into the Teesta river in North Sikkim's Mangan district, police said on Friday.

The tourist vehicle plunged more than 1,000 feet into Teesta river near Munsithang along the Lachen- Lachung highway on Thursday night. Two critically injured persons have been rescued and one body recovered, they said.

Eight tourists are still missing, said Superintendent of Police, Mangan, Sonam Detchu Bhutia.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in a Facebook post said, "I am deeply saddened by the tragic road accident that occurred on the night of May 29 near Chubombu, Mangan district, where a tourist vehicle fell into the Teesta river while travelling from Lachen to Lachung. My heartfelt prayers are with the victims and their families during this extremely difficult time."

The CM said that rescue operations began immediately under the supervision of SP Mangan, with the dedicated efforts of the police, ITBP, fire and medical teams, and local volunteers. He said that two individuals have been rescued and are receiving medical care. He further said that the search for others is ongoing, with NDRF teams joining the operation.

"Our government is fully committed to extending all possible support to the victims and their families. We are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that every necessary resource is deployed for the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Let us stand united in this hour of grief and extend our support to those affected," the CM said.

Details regarding the deceased, injured and the cause of the accident are still awaited. Authorities have cordoned off the area and requested tourists to avoid unnecessary travel along the route until further notice, the police added.

Tourist Vehicle Falls Into Teesta River; Search and Rescue Operations Continue Along Chungthang-Lachen Highway

KalimNews with Inputs from IPR, Mangan, May 30, 2025 : A tragic accident occurred on the evening of May 29 when a tourist vehicle bearing registration number SK03J650 veered off the road and plunged nearly 1,000 feet into the Teesta River, along the Chungthang-Lachen highway. The vehicle had started its journey from Lachen after visiting Gurudongmar Lake and was en route to Lhachung when the disaster struck.

The vehicle was carrying 10 tourists and the driver, with passengers hailing from Odisha, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh. The local administration, police, and other security forces swiftly launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, led by SDM Chungthang, SDPO Chungthang, and officials from the ITBP, Army, and NDRF. Local residents also joined the effort to locate the missing individuals.

As of the latest update, two critically injured tourists, Swayam Naik (16) and Sairaj Jena, have been rescued from the wreckage. After receiving preliminary treatment at the Chungthang field hospital, both have been transferred to STNM Hospital in Gangtok for advanced medical care. The search for the remaining nine passengers continues, with authorities working tirelessly to locate them.

Among the missing persons is Itishree Jena, a BJP Mahila Morcha leader from Odisha, who was traveling with the group. Her disappearance has raised significant concern, and her family members have been in constant contact with local authorities for updates.

District Collector Mangan, Anant Jain, along with Superintendent of Police Mangan, Sonam Detchu Bhutia, visited the site today to monitor the operation. They were briefed by SDM Chungthang, Arun Chettri, and other officials on the progress of the rescue efforts. The team is working with swimmers deployed to search the Teesta River for any signs of the vehicle, and efforts to retrieve the wreckage are ongoing to confirm the presence of additional missing passengers.

The search operation was temporarily halted due to deteriorating weather conditions, with continuous rainfall since the afternoon causing a significant rise in the water level of the Teesta River. After a joint decision by the district administration, police, and NDRF, it was decided to suspend the operation for the day. The authorities have confirmed that the search will resume at first light tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the search operation has been strengthened with additional personnel and machinery from the Border Roads Organization (BRO), NDRF, Police, Fire Services, ITBP, and local mountaineering teams from IHCAE Chemchey. Voluntary assistance has also been provided by local tourism stakeholders, drivers' associations, and the public.

The District Collector, SP, SDM Chungthang, SDPO Chungthang, and other senior officials are on-site, closely monitoring the situation. The authorities are hopeful that the weather will improve and allow the operation to continue effectively in the coming days.

As the search and rescue efforts continue, the local administration urges the public to remain patient and cooperative. The team remains determined to locate all those missing and bring closure to the affected families.