Rohan Umak
Tempo accident Tamil Nadu: As many as eight persons lost their lives and several others sustained injuries after a tempo traveller they were aboard veered off a steep hill road in Tamil Nadu’s Valparai and plunged into a gorge on Friday, the police said. As per police, the vehicle was ferrying 13 tourists from Kerala’s Perinthalmanna, and was on its way back to the town after a sightseeing trip, when the incident unfolded. The crash occurred at a sharp curve along the mountainous route, according to initial reports by the police.
Police officials aware of the incident said that the vehicle lost control at the 13th hairpin, and tumbled down to the 9th bend, highlighting the life-threatening terrain which often poses a challenge to drivers navigating the stretch.
Tempo accident Tamil Nadu: 7 women, 1 man killed
Seven women and one man were among the ones killed in the incident. Authorities said that several of them died on the spot itself. Meanwhile, the tempo’s driver and four others were rendered injured, and some of them sustained grievous wounds. All of them, as per officials, were immediately rescued by emergency teams.
The ones injured were rushed to the Government Hospital in Pollachi, where they continue to receive treatment. Reports also indicate that some persons who died were school teachers from Kerala’s Malappuram district, who went to Valparai for a leisure trip.
PM Modi expresses grief on ‘X’
Taking to his official ‘X’ handle, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives. His post read, “Distressed to hear about the mishap in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured.” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also heaped assurances, asserting that the authorities concerned have been directed to provide the best possible medical care to the incident’s survivors. He further pledged assistance from the state government to the kin of the deceased.
Go through PM Modi’s official Tweet on ‘X’ below:
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
Bodies retrieved from gorge
The police and fire service personnel were pressed into service, who carried out the rescue operations swiftly and retrieved bodies from the gorge. Additionally, they also aided in transporting the injured to the hospital. Officials in Coimbatore said they have launched a probe to ascertain the exact cause behind the crash.
