The driver suddenly lost control while manoeuvring the 13th hairpin bend. It crashed into a two-wheeler and an autorickshaw.
At least nine people in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district died, and several were left injured after a State Transport Corporation bus had a head-on collision with multiple vehicles on the Salem-Coimbatore national highway. All those who lost their lives in the tragedy were teachers by profession, news agency ANI reported.
As per a statement shared by the District Collector’s office, the bus, which was heading to Salem from Coimbatore, suddenly veered off the road after the driver lost control while manoeuvring the 13th hairpin bend. It crashed into a two-wheeler and an autorickshaw, which was carrying nearly 10 passengers, and subsequently plunged into the 9th hairpin bend.
The bus was carrying 13 tourists from Kerala’s Perinthalmanna. Out of these 13, eight people (1 male and seven females) died immediately on the spot. The five injured, which included the driver, two male juveniles aged between 17 and 18 years, and two females, were immediately rescued and taken to the government hospital in Pollachi. One of the injured later succumbed to their injuries.
The state authorities in Tamil Nadu reacted swiftly to the incident. Upon learning about the accident, two senior police officers rushed to the spot and supervised the rescue and relief operations. Fire and Rescue Services personnel were also deployed to ensure a prompt evacuation of the injured.
PM, KERALA CM CONDOLE DEATHS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the loss of lives.
“Distressed to hear about the mishap in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the mishap. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the Prime Minister’s office shared on X.
தமிழ்நாட்டின் கோயம்புத்தூரில் நிகழ்ந்த விபத்தை அறிந்து மிகுந்த வேதனையடைந்தேன். இந்த விபத்தில் தங்கள் அன்புக்குரியவர்களை இழந்தவர்களுக்கு எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கல்களைத் தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கிறேன். காயமடைந்தவர்கள் விரைவில் குணமடைய பிரார்த்திக்கிறேன்: பிரதமர் @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 17, 2026
Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, also expressed his condolences over the death of the Kerala citizens.
