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Sikkim: One dead, 8 missing after tourist vehicle plunges 1,000 ft into Teesta river
The police have filed a negligence case against the absconding driver
The teams at the rescue site (Express)
One person was killed, two injured, and eight others were reported missing after a vehicle carrying 11 tourists plunged into the Teesta River in North Sikkim’s Mangan district on Thursday evening, the police said on Friday.
According to the police, the tourists, who are from Odisha and West Bengal were travelling from Lachen to Lachung.
Sonam Detchu Bhutia, Superintendent of Police, Mangan, told The Indian Express that efforts are underway to retrieve the body and find the missing tourists.
“Two tourists were rescued with critical injuries and have been referred to a hospital in Gangtok,” Bhutia said.
Taking to Facebook, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, expressed sorrow at the accident.
“My heartfelt prayers are with the victims and their families during this extremely difficult time.”
He confirmed that “two individuals have been rescued and are receiving medical care”.
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The CM said, “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”.
He said that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have joined the rescue efforts.
According to police, the vehicle the tourists were travelling in is yet to be recovered.
The police have filed a negligence case against the absconding driver.
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While the cause of the accident is under investigation, police are looking into bad weather and overspeeding as potential reasons.
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