Darjeeling: The bodies of four missing residents from Lingdok, under the Kabi-Lungchok constituency in Sikkim, were found in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that was fished out of the Teesta River near Coronation Bridge in Sevoke, approximately 20 kilometers from Siliguri, on Sunday morning. The recovery came nearly two days after they had gone missing.
Victims Identified
The deceased have been identified as Smarika Neupaney, a nursing lecturer at Sochyagang Nursing College affiliated with STNM Hospital; Sabiya Neupaney, a junior engineer with the culture department; Tika Maya Dahal, a staffer at the horticulture department; and Ditiya Chettri, the young daughter of Tika Maya Dahal. Smarika and Sabiya Neupaney were sisters and residents of Lingdok.
Incident Details
According to initial reports, the group was traveling to Siliguri on June 5 when heavy rainfall triggered a landslide, sweeping their car into the Teesta River. The family had remained missing since then, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation. On June 7, rescue teams located the submerged vehicle near Coronation Bridge and recovered the bodies of all occupants from inside.
Chief Minister Expresses Grief
Expressing profound grief, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said, “It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the tragic loss of the four residents of Lingdok, Kabi-Lungchok constituency, who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident while traveling to Siliguri on June 5.” The chief minister extended his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for strength and courage for them to overcome the pain. He also prayed for eternal peace for the lost souls.
Gratitude to Rescue Teams
Golay expressed gratitude to the West Bengal government, West Bengal Police and Traffic Police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), TRRC personnel, social workers, and locals for their efforts and support during the search and rescue operation that led to the recovery.
Safety Advisory
Calling the incident a painful reminder of the dangers associated with journeys during the monsoon season, the chief minister urged people to exercise utmost caution, avoid non-essential travel, stay updated on weather and road conditions, and follow safety advisories of the authorities. “A little extra care can help prevent such heartbreaking losses and ensure the safety of our loved ones,” he posted on his social media page.
