Sikkim Mishap: 3 Dead, 16 Injured After Milk Truck Rams Multiple Cars and Plows Through Mela

At least three people died and 16 were left injured on Saturday in Sikkim’s Ranipool after a milk truck rammed into multiple cars parked near the Tambla Game Fair. The incident occurred around 7: 30 pm in the fair’s lively environment, which later caused havoc among the people.

The truck was arriving from uphill Gangtok and took a regular route as the fair had been held at a truck terminal for over a month now, reported NDTV, adding that the vehicle first hit three taxis parked outside the venue and then dragged them towards the crowd.

At least three people died, including a woman in her mid-20s while the other two were men in their mid-30s, however, the identity of a woman and a man are yet to be known. The other man is identified as an off-duty police officer.

Soon after the tragic accident, onlookers rushed to help the victims who allegedly got under the vehicles. According to the report, 20 people were also rushed to the Central Referral Hospital in Tadong.

Doctors at the hospital said the condition of the five of the injured was “serious”.

As per a preliminary probe, the brakes of the truck failed, leading to the accident. The Sikkim police have taken the driver of the truck in custody who was not under the influence of alcohol while driving, according to the report.

The tanker had a label of Sikkim Milk Union on its side.

CM Says Deeply Saddened By Tragic Accident

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Sing Tamang said he was deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred in Ranipool.

“We are committed to providing every possible support during this difficult time. My thoughts are with the injured and their families, and I sincerely pray for their swift recovery. I also extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy, and I pray for the departed souls to rest in eternal peace”, the CM said in a post on Facebook.

Govt Announces Ex-Gratia

Gangtok DM Tushar Nikhare said to the news agency, ANI that the the Sikkim government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the deceased’s family and they will also bear the cost of the treatment of the injured. The money will be released from the CM’s Relief Fund.

“We are hopeful of not increasing any number of the cases as such and if any referral has to be made outside the state for any critical patients then the state government will bear the expenses. Investigation is underway” added Nikhare.

(with PTI inputs)