Thousands gather at Panga school to pay last respects to beloved teachers; Tearful adieu to Valparai accident victims

MALAPPURAM: The mortal remains of nine people who died in the Valparai road accident were brought to their hometown in Malappuram today. The bodies were brought in a special ambulance provided by the Tamil Nadu government. The mortal remains will be taken to homes after a one-hour public viewing at the Panga Ambalapram Higher Secondary School. Thousands, including students, have reached the school to bid farewell to the teachers. Education Minister V Sivankutty arrived to pay his last respects to the victims of the tragic accident.

Ambulances left Pollachi for Malappuram at 6.15 am today with the bodies. The postmortem, which began at 12 midnight yesterday at the Pollachi Hospital, was completed at 4 am today.

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.

After the public viewing, the last rites will take place in different Mohallas. Majeed and Ruqiya will be buried in Mattath Mahal. Ramla, Sajida and Shakina will be buried in Panga Juma Masjid. Suhara and her son Hisham will be buried in East Panga Masjid. After the public viewing, Ajitha's body will be taken to her house in Pulamanthol, and Asha's body will be taken to her house in Kolathur.