Sikkim: Tourist Vehicle Plunges into Teesta River, One Dead, Eight Missing
The incident took place near Munsithang along the Chungthang-Lachen highway, a route known for its challenging terrain and scenic yet treacherous conditions.
GANGTOK– A devastating accident occurred late Thursday night, May 29, 2025, when a tourist vehicle carrying 11 passengers, including 10 tourists and a driver, plunged approximately 1,000 feet into the Teesta River in North Sikkim’s Mangan district.
The incident took place near Munsithang along the Chungthang-Lachen highway, a route known for its challenging terrain and scenic yet treacherous conditions.
According to Superintendent of Police, Mangan, Sonam Detchu Bhutia, one person has been confirmed dead, with the body recovered from the wreckage. Two passengers were rescued with critical injuries and have been rushed to Gangtok’s STNM Hospital for treatment. Eight others, including tourists from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Tripura, remain missing as rescue operations continue. The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Gurudongmar Lake back to Gangtok when it lost control and fell into the swollen river.
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The Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sikkim Police, and local volunteers, supported by the Mangan District Administration, have launched a large-scale rescue operation. Divers and high-altitude rescue units have been deployed to locate the missing individuals and trace the vehicle in the deep gorge. However, heavy rainfall and dense fog in the region are hampering efforts, with North Sikkim experiencing adverse weather conditions over the past few days.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang expressed his grief over the tragedy in a Facebook post, stating, “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 traveling from Lachen to Lachung.” He assured that all necessary resources are being mobilized to support the rescue and relief efforts.
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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has also responded, coordinating with Sikkim authorities and dispatching a special team of officials from Odisha to assist in the rescue operations, as several passengers are believed to be from the state.
The Chungthang-Lachen highway, a critical route for tourists visiting North Sikkim’s high-altitude destinations, has faced recurring challenges due to its proximity to the fast-flowing Teesta River and susceptibility to landslides and adverse weather. This incident follows a history of natural calamities in the region, including landslides in April 2025 that stranded over 1,000 tourists and a flash flood in October 2023 that caused significant damage.
Authorities are urging the public to cooperate with ongoing rescue efforts and have advised against traveling to North Sikkim until conditions stabilize. The cause of the accident is under investigation, with initial reports suggesting that poor visibility due to fog and rain may have contributed to the vehicle losing control.
Further updates are awaited as rescue teams work tirelessly to locate the missing tourists and provide support to the affected families.
