1 Dead, 8 Missing In Sikkim After Vehicle Rolls Off Hilly Road Into Teesta River
A tourist vehicle plunged into the Teesta river in North Sikkim, killing at least one and leaving eight missing.
At least one person was killed and eight are missing after a tourist vehicle skidded off a hilly road in Sikkim on Thursday night. The vehicle fell nearly 1,000 feet into the Teesta river below.
The accident occurred between Chungthang and Munsithang in North Sikkim between 7 PM and 8 PM. The area is known for its winding roads and scenic but treacherous terrain. According to locals, the vehicle carrying 10 tourists and the driver was returning from Gurudongmar to Gangtok when the accident occurred. Out of the 10 people, 2 have been rescued so far.
Although the identities of the tourists have not been confirmed yet, the passengers are believed to be from West Bengal and Odisha.
Both rescued tourists are in a critical state.
Rescue teams acted swiftly, first taking the injured to the Primary Health Centre in Chungthang before transferring them to the district hospital in Mangan for more advanced care.
According to news website East Mojo, Mangan Superintendent of Police Sonam Dechu Bhutia said that one body had been recovered from the wreckage. As night fell, the search for the remaining eight missing individuals pressed on, with efforts led by a joint team comprising the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sikkim Police, and the Mangan District Administration.
Authorities have yet to release their names, citing the ongoing identification process and the need to inform families before making public announcements.
The rescue operation continues under challenging circumstances. Difficult terrain, unpredictable weather, and fast-flowing river currents have complicated the mission, but teams on the ground are continuing the rescue efforts.
(This story is being updated.)
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