Nine Kerala Tourists Killed in Tragic Van Accident on Valparai Ghat Road
A devastating road accident on the Valparai-Pollachi ghat road in Tamil Nadu has resulted in the tragic deaths of nine tourists from Kerala, with four others sustaining serious injuries. The incident occurred on Friday evening when the van they were traveling in veered off the road and plunged several hundred feet into a deep gorge.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The accident took place at approximately 5:15 PM at the 13th hairpin bend under the jurisdiction of the Kadamparai police station. Preliminary reports indicate that the driver of the van lost control while negotiating a sharp curve on the treacherous ghat road. The vehicle skidded off the roadway and tumbled through dense, rugged terrain before finally coming to rest near the ninth hairpin bend. Tragically, nine passengers died on the spot at the scene of the accident.
Victims and Survivors
The deceased have been identified as Ajitha (54), Ramla (52), Suhra (43), Asha (41), Majeeth (43), Sajitha (45), Shakeela (37), Ruqiya (39), and Hisham (12). Notably, five of the victims were teachers from the Government LP School at Palliparambu, Pang, located in Kerala's Malappuram district.
The four injured survivors include Nowshath (39), Shahadin (11), Maijn (10), and the van driver Mohammed Fasith (21). All four were initially rushed to the Government Hospital in Pollachi for emergency medical treatment. Three of the critically injured victims were later referred to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for specialized care.
Rescue Operations and Investigation
Upon receiving information about the tragic accident, a police team led by the Valparai deputy superintendent of police and the Valparai inspector immediately rushed to the scene to initiate rescue operations. Fire and rescue services personnel also joined the effort, working diligently to extricate victims from the mangled vehicle.
A police official involved in the operation noted that the difficult and dangerous terrain made the rescue mission extremely challenging. Despite these obstacles, all survivors were successfully transported to hospitals, while the bodies of the deceased were sent for postmortem examination.
The Kadamparai police have registered a formal case and launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Tourist Group Background
The victims were part of a 13-member tourist group, which included the driver, hailing from Perinthalmanna in Kerala's Malappuram district. They had been returning from Valparai after a sightseeing trip when the tragic accident occurred.
Official Responses
Coimbatore collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar visited the accident site to conduct a thorough inspection and assess the situation firsthand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences through a social media post, stating: "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 the injured recover swiftly."
This tragic incident highlights the dangers of navigating ghat roads, particularly during evening hours, and serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety measures in mountainous regions.
