Sikkim: A pall of gloom has descended over North Sikkim after a horrific accident near the treacherous Lachen-Lachung highway on Thursday night. One person has been confirmed dead and eight tourists are feared missing after their vehicle tragically plunged over 1,000 feet into the raging Teesta river.
The ill-fated tourist vehicle, carrying 11 individuals including 10 visitors and their driver, met with the devastating accident near Munsithang in North Sikkim’s Mangan district sometime around Thursday evening. Initial rescue efforts have managed to pull two critically injured survivors from the wreckage, while a single body has been recovered from the turbulent waters below.
An immediate and extensive search operation was launched following the accident, involving a multi-agency response. Personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force, fire services, medical teams, and local volunteers have mobilised for a round-the-clock rescue mission. Mangan’s Superintendent of Police, Sonam Detchu Bhutia, is personally overseeing the arduous efforts.
The two survivors, rescued in critical condition, received initial treatment at the Chungthang field hospital before being swiftly transferred to the STNM Hospital in Gangtok for advanced medical attention. Authorities have yet to release any information regarding their current health status.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang expressed his profound sorrow over the incident via a Facebook statement. He conveyed being “deeply saddened by the tragic road accident that occurred on the night of May 29 near Chubombu,” and assured the affected families of the government’s “full commitment to extending all possible support to the victims and their families.”
NDRF teams have now bolstered the ongoing search, as rescue workers battle against the formidable challenge posed by time and the river’s powerful current. The Teesta river’s swift flow and the remote, difficult terrain of the accident site are creating significant hurdles for the recovery teams.
The accident site along the Lachen-Lachung highway is a crucial artery for tourism in North Sikkim, providing access to its renowned high-altitude destinations. However, this particular stretch is notorious for its challenging landscape and dangerous proximity to the Teesta.
Police have moved swiftly to cordon off the affected area and have issued advisories, urging tourists to refrain from unnecessary travel along the route until further notice. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation, and authorities are yet to release details pertaining to the deceased and the injured individuals.
District officials, including the District Collector Mangan, are continuously monitoring the grim situation as search operations continue relentlessly for the eight missing tourists.
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