PALAKKAD: The premises of the Baselios Vidhyanikethan School at Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam witnessed heartbreaking scenes on Thursday as the lifeless bodies of six of its students were brought to the school for one last time. Many people were seen bursting into tears as they saw the bodies.

Nine people were killed and 38 others were injured after a tourist bus carrying students of Class 10 and Plus Two crashed into a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus at Mangalam near Vadakkenchery area of Palakkad.

The horrific road accident occurred after the tourist bus rear-ended into the KSRTC bus. The tourist bus carrying students and teachers of the Baselios Vidhyanikethan School was headed to Ooty from Ernakulam, while the KSRTC bus was on its way to Coimbatore.

The deceased include five students, one teacher and three passengers from the KSRTC bus. A total of 38 people have been admitted to the hospital.

The accident took place at 11.35 pm on Wednesday. The tourist bus was travelling at a speed of 97 kmph when the accident occurred. A total of 45 people were injured. Two people are undergoing treatment at Thrissur Medical College and one at a private hospital in Nenmara. They are out of danger. Others were released after treatment.

The High Court on Thursday took a suo motu case in connection with the Vadakkancherry road accident. "This heartbreaking news should not be allowed to end today. Finding a solution is paramount", Justice Devan Ramachandran said. The High Court directed the Transport Commissioner and the Road Safety Commissioner to appear on Friday.