One dead, eight missing in tragic North Sikkim road mishap

ISABELLA GURUNG

GANGTOK,: A tragic road accident in North Sikkim claimed one life and left eight others missing after a tourist vehicle skidded off the road and plunged nearly 1,000 feet into the Teesta River on the night of May 29. The incident took place around 8 pm, between Chubambu and Munshithang, along the Lachen-Chungthang road.

One of the missing persons is identified as Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha general secretary Itshiri Jena.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has personally contacted Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, following confirmation that BJP leader Itshiri Jena, 46 years, is among the missing.

The taxi vehicle, a Maxx, was traveling from Lachen to Lachung with 11 occupants onboard, including 10 tourists from West Bengal, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, and one local driver, as per the information available.

Two critically injured teenagers, Sairaj Jena and Swayam Supratim Nayak, both 17-year-olds from Jajpur, Odisha, were rescued early this morning and rushed to PHC Chungthang for treatment. They have since been referred to STNM Hospital in Gangtok for further treatment.

According to the FIR registered at Chungthang Police Station (Crl Case No. 03/2025), the vehicle, driven by Passang D. Sherpa of Singhik, Mangan, veered off the mountain road at approximately 8:00 pm and plunged into the river. One body has been recovered so far while eight others, including the driver, are missing.

A high-intensity rescue operation, led on-ground by SDPO Chungthang Arun Thatal and PI Tilak Chettri, under the supervision of SP Mangan Sonam Ditchu Bhutia, is underway. Teams from the Sikkim Police, Fire & Emergency Services, ITBP, Indian Army, and local volunteers are conducting search operations despite treacherous terrain and swift river currents. The NDRF has also joined the mission.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy in a Facebook statement: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic road accident that occurred on the night of 29th May near Chubombu, Mangan District, where a tourist vehicle fell into the Teesta River while traveling from Lachen to Lachung. My heartfelt prayers are with the victims and their families during this extremely difficult time.”

“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. Two individuals have been rescued and are receiving medical care. 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,” said the Chief Minister.

The situation continues to be monitored closely as search operations are underway.

As per the latest updates, occupants in the vehicle at the time of accident were Itshiri Jena (46), Ajit Kumar Nayak (45), Sunita Nayak (42), Debjyotijoy Dev (26), Swapnanil Dev (26), Kaushalendra Pratap Singh (32), Sahil Jena (21), Ankeeta Singh (26), Sairaj Jena (17), Swayam Supratim Nayak (17), and Passang D. Sherpa (driver).

An IPR release in the evening hours inform that the search and rescue operation to recover the missing persons has been called off for today.

The decision to call off the search operation for the day was taken jointly by the district administration, Police and NDRF due to adverse weather condition. It was reported that there was considerable increase in the water level following incessant rainfall since late afternoon.

The District Collector, Superintendent of Police, SDM Chungthang, SDPO Chungthang, DPO, CO 86 RCC GREF (BRO), SHOs and other officials are present at the site to monitor the search and rescue efforts. It was informed that the operation will resume Saturday morning.