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Following coordinated efforts between Tamil Nadu and Kerala authorities, autopsies were expedited, and the remains were repatriated on Friday.
Coimbatore: The remains of nine individuals killed when a tourist van plummeted into an 800-foot ravine near Pollachi were returned to their families on Friday. Following the completion of autopsies, the deceased were transported to their hometowns in Kerala under a coordinated security escort provided by the Tamil Nadu and Kerala police departments.
The Incident
The tragedy involved a group of 13 travellers, primarily government school teachers and their relatives from the Perinthalmanna region of Kerala’s Malappuram district. The group had arrived in Valparai for a sightseeing excursion two days prior and was beginning the return journey on Thursday evening.
The accident occurred on the Pollachi-Valparai road when the driver lost control of the vehicle at the 13th hairpin bend. The van breached the roadside guardrails and plunged into the deep gorge.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Emergency responders confirmed that nine of the 13 passengers died instantly at the site of the crash. Four survivors were recovered from the wreckage and initially transported to the Pollachi Government Hospital. Due to the severity of their injuries, three of the survivors were subsequently moved to the Coimbatore Government Hospital for specialised medical intervention.
Administrative Coordination
The Coimbatore District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police conducted an on-site inspection following the disaster. To expedite the return of the victims to their families, the Collector coordinated with his counterparts in the Malappuram and Palakkad districts of Kerala.
Under administrative orders, medical personnel worked through the night to complete the post-mortem examinations at the Pollachi Government Hospital, ensuring there were no unnecessary delays in releasing the remains.
Final Rites and Repatriation
In accordance with the Islamic faith of the deceased, the bodies were moved to a madrasa located on the Pollachi-Valparai road. Local residents joined the grieving families to participate in the traditional Janaza bathing rituals and funeral prayers.
Following these religious observances, nine ambulances carried the victims back to Malappuram. The inter-state transport was managed by police units from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala to ensure a seamless passage across the border.
Published: 18 Apr 2026, 09:01 am IST
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