TN: Nine from Kerala killed in accident in Coimbatore

In Tamil Nadu, nine people lost their lives when a van from Kozhikode in Kerala carrying around 16 tourists overturned and plunged into a gorge on the Valparai ghat road in Coimbatore district on Friday evening. Rescue teams are working to identify others. The van was descending from Valparai to Pollachi when the accident occurred at the 13th hairpin bend (13th U-turn curve) on the Valparai ghat section. The vehicle reportedly lost control and overturned, falling into the deep valley beside the road.Four people who were found alive were shifted to Coimbatore District Headquarters Hospital at Pollachi and the search to find others is being continued with the support of the forest department.
Rescue operations were carried out by the police and fire services personnel, who retrieved bodies from the gorge and rushed the injured to the Pollachi Government Hospital. The deceased were identified as Ajitha, 54, Ramala, 52, Suhara, 43, Asha, 41, Sajida, 45, Rukiya, 39, Shakeena, 37, Majeed, 41, and Ishan 12. A police team from Malappuram and relatives of those met with the accident are proceeding to the location. According to the Malappuram district police, the teachers of Palliparamabu Government lower primary school at Pang in Malappuram district and family members of some teachers were also involved in the accident. A cook at the school and her child were also in the tour group.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths. "I was deeply saddened to learn of the accident that occurred in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. I extend my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray that the injured recover swiftly," he said.