At least nine people were killed and four others, including the driver, sustained critical injuries after a tourist van plunged into a deep gorge at the Valparai Hills in Coimbatore on Friday.
The victims were part of a 13-member group from Kerala’s Malappuram district. According to reports, the van lost control while descending the Valparai–Pollachi hill road. The vehicle crashed into a roadside barrier at the 13th hairpin bend before rolling down the steep gorge.
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Visuals from the accident site showed the van severely mangled, highlighting the intensity of the crash. Emergency teams rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations, with the injured being shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Reacting to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. “I was deeply saddened to learn of the accident that occurred in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. I extend my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray that the injured recover swiftly,” he said.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, with initial indications pointing to loss of control on the steep and winding hill road.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
