Nine Malayalees killed in tragic minivan accident in Valparai; multiple people in critical condition

PALAKKAD: Nine Malayalees died in a tragic accident after a minivan fell into a gorge near Pollachi-Valparai route. It is reported that 12 people were in the vehicle. The minivan coming from Thrissur collided with another vehicle and fell from the hairpin bend. There were 11 teachers and the driver in the minivan. The accident took place at the 13th hairpin. Some of the injured are in critical condition. The teachers who were in the accident were from Malappuram.

The seven dead in the accident are women teaching staff of Panga school in Malappuram. The other two victims are children.

The rescue operation was carried out by locals who rushed to the spot, along with the police and the fire force, who arrived later. It is learnt that the locals and officials had a tough time getting those injured out of the van. The Tamil Nadu police have registered a case and started an investigation into the incident.