Published Apr 17, 2026 | 10:08 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 17, 2026 | 10:12 PM
The group of teachers before the accident on Friday.
Synopsis: Teachers, non-teaching staff of two schools at Paang and their family members were in the van when the accident occurred near hairpin bend 13. The group was going downhill on the 40-hairpin-bend ghat road towards Pollachi when it went off the road and landed near the 11th hairpin bend.
Nine people, including children, on a pleasure trip from Kerala’s Malappuram were killed after a van veered off the road on the ghat section and plunged into a gorge in Tamil Nadu’s Valparai on Friday, 17 April.
Teachers, non-teaching staff of two schools at Paang and their family members were in the van when the accident occurred near hairpin bend 13.
The group was going downhill on the 40-hairpin-bend ghat road towards Pollachi when it went off the road and landed near the 11th hairpin bend.
The injured were currently undergoing treatment at government facilities in Pollachi and Coimbatore, where additional doctors and critical care support have been arranged. The vehicle was totalled in the incident.
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Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty expressed deep sorrow over the accident .
In a statement, the Minister said it was “with great sadness” that the government received news of the accident, which has left the education community in shock and grief.
He added that the office of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has been contacted, and authorities there have assured all necessary assistance.
Officials informed that rescue and relief operations were being coordinated under the leadership of the Coimbatore District Collector.
Sivankutty said the Kerala government was closely monitoring the situation and was doing everything possible to extend support to the victims and their families.
He also conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
The Malappuram district administration swung into action following the fatal road accident.
District Collector Dr. Vinay Goyal said coordinated rescue and relief efforts were underway in close liaison with the authorities in Coimbatore.
He confirmed that he has been in direct contact with Coimbatore Collector Pawan Kumar G. Giriyappanavar to ensure that emergency response measures were carried out on a war footing.
According to the district administration, immediate steps were being taken to send home the bodies of the deceased, while ensuring the best possible medical care for the injured.
To oversee the situation on the ground, multiple teams from Malappuram and neighbouring districts have been deployed.
A revenue team led by Perinthalmanna Sub-Collector Sakshi Mohan, along with a special medical and police unit headed by Junior Administrative Medical Officer Dr. J. Mathew, has already left for Pollachi
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, describing it as an “irreparable loss to the entire state.”
In his statement, he assured that all necessary steps have been initiated to support the affected families.
“The authorities concerned have been instructed to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured. The government will provide all necessary assistance to the families of the deceased,” the Chief Minister said.
