34 airlifted from Sikkim's landslide hit Chaten

This was the first successful aerial evacuation carried out under the current emergency response plan in the state where inclement weather condition continues

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Gangtok: Altogether 34 people -27 tourists and seven family members of the army personnel - were evacuated from landslide-affected Chaten area in north Sikkim Tuesday, officials said.

This was the first successful aerial evacuation carried out under the current emergency response plan in the state where inclement weather condition continues.

“Two MI-17 V5 helicopters successfully airlifted 34 stranded individuals from Chaten to Pakyong Greenfield Airport. Among those rescued were seven family members of Army personnel and 27 tourists. The injured personnel were also onboard and are currently receiving necessary medical treatment,” an official said.

Three army personnel were killed and six soldiers went missing after a landslide hit a military camp at Chaten. Several others were also injured. The landslide, which occurred at 7 pm Sunday near Lachen town in Mangan district, was triggered by heavy rainfall in the area.