Four from Gangtok feared drowned, rescue teams search Teesta

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: A search and rescue operation has been launched in the Teesta River for four people from Gangtok who went missing while travelling to Siliguri on Friday evening. Authorities suspect that the vehicle they were travelling in may have plunged into the river after being caught in a landslide near Coronation Bridge along NH-10.

The missing persons - three adults and one child - were travelling in a Tata Nexon (SK01PC9872) from Gangtok to Siliguri when contact with them was lost.

According to officials, search operations were initiated after the occupants could not be reached. Authorities suspect that the vehicle may have been swept away by debris and floodwaters triggered by a landslide near Shiv Mandir. Some belongings believed to be linked to the missing persons were reportedly recovered from the area.

The vehicle was reportedly last spotted at Rambi Bazaar around 5 pm on Friday. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are carrying out search operations, while the Teesta-Rangeet Rescue Team (TRRT) remains on standby.

The family's last known contact was reported between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm near Rambi, as per reports. Mobile phone tracking also placed them in the area between Sevoke and Bagpul, where a landslide and flash flood incident occurred along NH-10.

Search teams have reportedly recovered a vehicle battery and other debris from the landslide zone, strengthening suspicions that the vehicle may have been involved in the incident.

 “The NDRF is carrying out most of the search operation and has reportedly spotted a vehicle in the river. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether it is the same vehicle. Parts of a vehicle were recovered near the landslide site, following which the search for the missing persons in the Teesta River was intensified,” said Sajan Dukpa of the TRRT.

He added that the dark colour of the river water was making it difficult for rescuers to spot anything clearly.