On May 29, 2025, a tourist bus carrying 11 people plunged into the raging Teesta River in Sikkim’s Mangan district. The accident left eight missing, including BJP leader Itishree Jena and her elder son, Sahil (20). But against all odds, two teenagers, Sairaj Jena (17) and Supreet Nayak (16), survived the crash in critical condition. Rescued by locals and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), their recovery has been called a “miracle” by officials. Today, they are back in Odisha, recovering at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, while the search for their missing family members continues.
This is the story of survival, state intervention, and an ongoing rescue mission in one of India’s most treacherous terrains.
The Accident: How the Bus Plunged into the Teesta
The ill-fated bus was traveling from Lachen to Lachung, a popular tourist route in North Sikkim, when it skidded off a sharp bend near Chungthang-Munshithang. Eyewitnesses say the vehicle rolled nearly 1,000 feet before crashing into the Teesta, swollen from days of heavy rainfall.
-
Casualties:
-
1 confirmed dead (unidentified)
-
2 critically injured (Sairaj and Supreet)
-
8 missing, including Itishree Jena, Sahil Jena, and four tourists from Tripura.
-
Superintendent of Police (SP) Sonam Detchu Bhutia described the scene as “chaotic,” with rescue teams battling fast currents and fog to locate survivors.
The Miracle: How Sairaj and Supreet Survived
The two teens owe their lives to a tree branch that halted their fall into the river. Locals spotted them clinging to debris and pulled them out before emergency teams arrived.
-
Medical Emergency:
-
Both were ventilator-dependent in Gangtok Hospital for days.
-
Sairaj, the younger son of missing BJP leader Itishree Jena, suffered multiple fractures.
-
Supreet, his cousin, sustained severe internal injuries.
-
Doctors say their survival was “against all odds,” given the force of the crash and the freezing river temperatures.
The Missing: A BJP Leader’s Unresolved Fate
Itishree Jena (42), a secretary of the BJP’s Mahila Morcha in Jajpur, Odisha, was on the trip with her two sons and relatives.
-
Still Missing:
-
Itishree Jena
-
Sahil Jena (20), her elder son
-
Brother Ajit Nayak and his wife Sunita
-
Four tourists from Tripura.
-
Search teams have spotted a body in the river, but fast currents and landslides have prevented recovery. “The terrain is merciless,” said an ITBP officer involved in the operation.
State Intervention: Odisha’s Rescue Mission
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi personally coordinated with Sikkim officials to evacuate the survivors.
-
Key Actions:
-
Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena arranged a special train to bring the boys back to Bhubaneswar.
-
A medical team was sent to Sikkim to stabilize them before the journey.
-
Two officials from Odisha were deployed to assist in the search operations.
-
The effort highlights the challenges of inter-state disaster response in remote Himalayan regions.
Homecoming: Recovery and Lingering Grief
On June 19, Sairaj and Supreet arrived in Bhubaneswar by train and were rushed to AIIMS.
-
Current Condition:
-
Both are stable but require long-term rehabilitation.
-
Psychologists are helping them cope with trauma.
-
Family members, while relieved, remain devastated. “We have two back, but four are still lost,” said Sishir Nayak, Itishree’s brother.
Unanswered Questions: Safety in Sikkim’s Tourist Zones
This tragedy has raised concerns about road safety in Sikkim’s high-altitude zones:
-
Was the bus route approved despite weather warnings?
-
Were safety protocols followed?
Officials say an investigation is ongoing, but activists demand stricter regulations for tourist vehicles in landslide-prone areas.
Conclusion: A Story of Hope and Heartbreak
The survival of Sairaj and Supreet is nothing short of miraculous. Yet, as recovery efforts continue, the Teesta River remains a symbol of both tragedy and resilience.
For now, the families wait, praying for closure, while the two boys begin their long road to recovery.
