Bhubaneswar: On Friday, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered the immediate dispatch of a specialized team to Sikkim following a tragic incident where an Odisha tourist vehicle fell into the Teesta River in Mangan district.

According to sources from the Odisha Chief Minister's Office, Majhi reached out to Sikkim's Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to inquire about the well-being of the Odisha passengers involved in the accident. He expressed deep concern regarding their safety and the medical assistance they might require.

The Chief Minister also instructed officials to ensure the safe return of the affected Odisha tourists from Sikkim.

Reports indicate that the accident resulted in one fatality, two injuries, and eight individuals reported missing after the vehicle carrying 11 tourists plunged over 1,000 feet into the Teesta River near Munsithang on the Lachen-Lachung highway late Thursday night.

Naveen Patnaik, the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly and president of the BJD, shared his thoughts on X, stating, "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."

Bhakta Charan Das, president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), also expressed his concern regarding the road accident in Sikkim, urging the state government to provide all necessary assistance to those impacted.

Additionally, sources revealed that Iti Shree Jena, secretary of the Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha, is among the six individuals from the state who are currently missing. Jena was traveling with her family from Jajpur, Odisha, when the unfortunate incident occurred. Local police confirmed that her son and nephew have been rescued.