GANGTOK: Five people were killed and 15 others injured when a bus plunged into a 150-ft-deep gorge near the West Bengal-Sikkim border on Saturday afternoon, according to police.
The incident occurred around 3 pm, between Andheri and Atal Setu, about 1 km from the Rangpo border. The bus, traveling from Siliguri to Gangtok, veered off National Highway 10 and fell onto the bank of the Teesta River.
Authorities are still working to identify the deceased and injured, with reports confirming that a woman was among the fatalities. The injured were taken to a health center in Rangpo for treatment. Police indicated that the death toll could rise, as several of the injured are in critical condition.
Some of the passengers aboard the bus were tourists. The bus named “Quality” regularly operated between Siliguri and Gangtok. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
Earlier this month, an autorickshaw fell off a bridge in Langsen village, which is part of the Lunglei district in southern Mizoram, close to the Bangladesh border, killing two elderly people on Thursday afternoon.
The victims, identified as Thankungi (70) and B. Hrangthangpuii (77), were on their way home from a free eye treatment held at a Lungsen North community hall. At about 2 pm, the auto-rickshaw, driven by P. Ramhlunfela, went off course and crashed, causing critical injuries to both women.
They were taken to the Primary Health Center in Langsen village immediately after the accident and then they were sent to Lunglei District Hospital. Both the women died within two hours of reaching the village of Lunglei due to their injuries.
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