9 including 7 Kerala teachers die in mini-van accident in TN's Valparai

Nine tourists were killed and three critically injured when a mini-van from Kerala rolled down multiple hairpin bends on the ghat road in Valparai in Tamil Nadu, police said on Friday (April 17).

Seven of them were teachers at Government LP School, Pang, Malappuram, while the remaining two were the wife and child of a teacher.

The people travelling in the van were teachers from Malappuram district in Kerala. They were on a leisure trip when this horrific accident took place.

The vehicle lost control while proceeding along Valparai-Pollachi ghat road and rolled down from 13th bend to the ninth bend, said a police official to PTI.

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The mini-van was mangled in the impact. "There were 13 people on the van, they all came from Malappuram, but we are yet to establish if they all belong to a family or friends or acquaintances," he added. The van was carrying teachers from Malappuram district in Kerala. They were on a leisure trip w

The injured were first taken to a nearby hospital but were later shifted to Pollachi hospital. Some of the injured are still in critical condition and the toll could go up.

Further investigations are on.

CM condoles deaths

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other leaders condoled the death of the teachers and staff. Vijayan said the loss of lives in the tragic accident in Valparai is "deeply saddening".

In a statement, Vijayan said he shares the grief of the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.

The Chief Minister said instructions have been given to the authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured, if required.

He also assured that the government would provide necessary assistance to the families of the deceased.

General Education Minister V Sivankutty said he was deeply saddened to learn about the accident involving teachers of Pang Palliparamba GLP School in Malappuram, in which several people lost their lives.

He said he had contacted the office of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, which has assured that all necessary assistance would be provided.

The minister said he has been informed that all steps are being taken under the leadership of the Coimbatore District Collector.

List of the deceased

1. Ajitha (54 years) (Headmistress, GLP School, Parammal, Pang) – Pulamanthol native

2. Ramla (52) – Teacher, GLP School, Parammal, Pang) – Pang native

3. Suhara (43) – Teacher, GLP School, Parammal, Pang) – Pang native

4. Asha (41) – Teacher, GLP School, Parammal, Pang) – Pang native

5. Majid (43) – Teacher, GLP School, Parammal, Pang) – Pang native

6. Sajitha (45) – Teacher, GLP School, Parammal, Pang) – Pang native

7. Shakeela (37) – Teacher, GUPS Pang

8. Rubiya (39)

9. Hisham (12)