Tamil Nadu: 19 Dead In Road Accident

Delhi: At least 19 people, including five women have lost lives in a major road mishap in Tamil Nadu’s Avanashi town in Tirupur district, 40 kms from Coimbatore on Thursday. The accident took place when a Kerala state government bus collided head-on with a container lorry.

The bus was going to Thiruvananthapuram from Bengaluru, while the lorry was coming from the opposite direction on the Coimbator-Salem Highway when the mishap occurred at 4.30 am, police said

Of the 48 passengers in the bus, 19 died on the spot and remaining sustained injuries.

Deputy Tehsildar of Avinashi, said: “19 people - 14 men and 5 women, died in the collision between a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus and a truck near Avinashi town of Tirupur distrivt.”

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has instructed Dist Collector of Palakkad to provide emergency medical care to the victims of the accident. Procedures to identify the deceased are in progress.

Kerala Transport Minister AK Saseendran said that senior officials from Kerala State Road Transport Corporation have rushed to the site. KSRTC Managing Director will conduct an inquiry and submit report.

Kerala Chief Minister's Office said in a statement that the State Transport Minister AK Saseendran and Minister VS Sunil Kumar will be reaching Tirupur  to provide all the assistance and coordinate proceedings.