Bhubaneswar: Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha State Secretary Iti Shree Jena is among the six from Odisha, who went missing after a tourist vehicle plunged nearly 1,000 feet into the Teesta along Chungthang-Munsithang route in North Sikkim last night.
According to sources, she was travelling with her family from Odisha’s Jajpur when the tragic accident occurred. Her son and nephew have been rescued.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has sent a special team of officials to Sikkim to supervise and assist in the rescue efforts. The team will also ensure that injured passengers receive proper medical care and facilitate their safe return to the state, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.
Majhi also discussed the rescue, treatment, and repatriation of the affected passengers with the Sikkim government, it added.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also prayed for speedy recovery of those affected. “I have learned that many Odia passengers were on the tourist bus that met with an accident in the Teesta River in Sikkim. May Lord Jagannath give strength to the families to face this challenging time. I pray for the speedy recovery of those affected by the accident,” he posted on X.
The ill-fated bus was carrying 11 people, including 10 tourists and a driver, when the incident occurred around 8 pm on Thursday. It is being suspected that the vehicle skidded off a hilly road under challenging weather and terrain conditions, with the river reportedly swollen. Two critically injured passengers were airlifted to Gangtok after initial treatment at Chungthang.
A joint operation of Indian Army, ITBP, Sikkim Police and local volunteers is underway to rescue remaining individuals amid adverse weather and the river’s strong currents.
Mangan SP Sonam Dechu Bhutia confirmed that one body has been recovered and two survivors have been rescued.
