ITBP rescues 17 tourists stranded in snow at 13,500 feet near Nathu La in Sikkim

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 24

A rescue mission was carried out by personnel of 48th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) near Sherathang in Sikkim at a height of 13,500 feet on Tuesday night.

Three tourist vehicles carrying 17 tourists, including three children and four women, got stranded on the road due to heavy snow. 

On receiving the information, a fully equipped rescue team of ITBP personnel rushed to the location along with a recovery vehicle, an ITBP spokesperson said.

Sherathang is a town near the Nathu La in south-eastern part of Sikkim, which is a popular tourist destination. It is a trade point between India and China.

The rescue operation started at about 6 pm in snow and rain. Medicare was also provided to a woman and a child who felt sick. The vehicles were recovered using recovery vehicle and manpower and all people were safely evacuated by 10 pm.