Agartala, May 30: Two youths from Tripura’s Kailashahar are among the missing after a tourist vehicle plunged into the swollen Teesta River in Sikkim late Thursday night. The tragic incident occurred near Chubombu, between Lachen and Lachung in Mangan district, a region known for its rugged and dangerous mountain roads.
The missing individuals have been identified as Swapnanil Deb (26), son of Satyajit Deb and a resident of Sonamara under Ward 16 of Kailashahar Municipal Council, and Debjyoti Deb (25), son of Samiran Deb, from the Kacherghat area.
The duo was among 11 people onboard the ill-fated vehicle, which included 10 tourists from Tripura, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha, along with a local driver. The group was reportedly travelling from Lachen to Lachung when the vehicle lost control and plunged more than 1,000 feet into the river.
Search and rescue operations led by the Mangan district administration, with assistance from the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local volunteers, have recovered one body and rescued two critically injured individuals. Eight passengers, including the two from Tripura, remain unaccounted for.
Tripura Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy has reached out to the Sikkim administration to seek updates and support for the missing youths from Unakoti district.
The incident highlights the dangers of travelling along the Lachen-Lachung highway, which is known for its steep drops, sharp bends, and frequent landslides. Authorities have urged tourists to avoid the stretch until further notice.
As of now, the identities of the deceased and the rescued individuals have not been officially released. Search operations are continuing amid challenging terrain and strong river currents.
