Panga bids emotional adieu to Valparai accident victims; last rites performed

MALAPPURAM: The mortal remains of nine people, including six teachers, who were victims of the Valparai accident, were kept at the Panga Government Higher Secondary School grounds for public viewing. Many people, including children, crowded the school grounds to pay last respects to their beloved teachers.

The funeral ceremonies were completed at various places by noon. The last rites of seven people were performed in three mosques. The funeral of the school's headmistress Ajitha, was held at Shoranur Santhitheeram crematorium, and that of Asha was held in her home compound in Koluthur. The condition of the three people injured in the accident remains critical. The President and the Prime Minister expressed their condolences over the tragic accident.

The van carrying a tourist group from the Malappuram Panga Palliparamba Government LP School fell 800 feet on the Valparai 13th hairpin bend at 5.20 pm yesterday. While descending, the vehicle lost control at the 13th hairpin bend of the pass, overturned several times and fell into the ninth bend. The accident site is 30 km from Pollachi. 13 people, including the driver, were travelling in a tourist van rented from Perinthalmanna.

Panga Parammal, GLP School, Headmistress Pulamanthole, Paloor, native Ajitha (55) and Panga natives Ramla (52), Ramla's son Hisham (12), Suhra (43), Majeed (43), his wife Ruqiya (39), Shakina (37), Asha (41), a native of Kolathur, and a cook Sajida (45), died in the accident.

The teachers were on a picnic from school on Friday morning. The group of 13, including the driver, set off in a traveller with the registration number KL 11 AM 7288, owned by Abdul Salam, a native of Perinthalmanna. There were two children in this group. After reaching Chalakudy, they went to Valparai via Malakkappara via Athirappilly. The accident occurred while returning from Valparai.