Gangtok, Sikkim — A devastating accident on Thursday night in North Sikkim has claimed at least one life and left nine people missing after a tourist vehicle plunged nearly 1,000 feet into the Teesta River along the treacherous Chungthang-Lachen route in Mangan district.
Tragedy in North Sikkim: Tourist Vehicle Plunges into Teesta River
The SUV, carrying 11 occupants, including tourists from Odisha and West Bengal, was en route from Lachen to Lachung when it veered off a sharp mountain turn between Chungthang and Munshithang. The vehicle reportedly lost control and plunged into a deep gorge, a known accident-prone zone along the mountainous terrain.
Among those aboard was Itishree Jena, the Odisha State Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha. Two critically injured individuals have been rescued and shifted to STNM Hospital in Gangtok after receiving initial treatment at the Chungthang Field Hospital. One body has been recovered from the river. However, search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining nine missing individuals.
Massive Rescue Operation Underway Amid Harsh Conditions
Immediately after the accident, rescue teams from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sikkim Police, and local administration launched a full-scale overnight operation under extremely challenging weather and terrain conditions. Divers and high-altitude rescue specialists have been deployed, with swimmers attempting to locate the wreckage in the swollen and fast-flowing Teesta River. Also the local residents are assisting in the rescue efforts.
Odisha Sends Special Team to Aid Rescue Efforts
In response to the tragedy, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has dispatched a special team to Sikkim to coordinate with local authorities, support rescue operations, and ensure medical attention and safe return of the state’s residents.
A Bhubaneswar-based leader confirmed, “This team’s mission is to oversee and aid rescue operations, ensure the injured receive appropriate medical attention, and facilitate their safe return.”
As of now, no official team has been announced by the West Bengal government, though tourists from the state were part of the group.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and strongly advise against travel on the Lachen-Lachung road until further notice.
News: The Hindu, India Today
Recent Landslides Had Already Raised Safety Concerns
This tragic incident comes just days after massive landslides caused severe road blockages in North Sikkim, stranding hundreds of tourists. Following pressure from tour operators and hotel associations during the peak tourist season in May, the Sikkim government had recently reopened the region for restricted 3-day, 2-night tours, aiming to balance safety with tourism needs.
Travel Advisory: Avoid Sikkim During Monsoon
However, this latest accident is likely to prompt a fresh review of tourism in the high-risk region.
As a valued reader of Travel Entice, we strongly advise against planning trips to North Sikkim, East Sikkim, and North Bengal during the monsoon season (June to September). While the recent tragic incident was not caused by monsoon conditions, it serves as a reminder of the risks in these regions. The hilly terrain becomes highly prone to landslides during this time, making travel hazardous. For your safety and peace of mind, it’s best to avoid these areas from late May through September.
