Argus News - Kerala Holiday Trip Turns Tragic: Nine Killed in Valparai Road Accident

Coimbatore, Apr 17: A holiday trip from Kerala’s Malappuram district ended in tragedy on Friday evening when nine people were killed in a road accident on the Pollachi–Valparai ghat road in Tamil Nadu. The victims, mostly teachers and their family members from Perinthalmanna, were travelling in a mini traveller van that lost control at the 13th hairpin bend and plunged down towards the 8th bend.

According to preliminary reports, the van, which had come from the Thrissur side, crashed into the guard rail before tumbling down the steep terrain. The impact left the vehicle mangled beyond recognition. There were 12 teachers and a driver onboard, many of them associated with the GLP School at Pang in Malappuram. Several survivors were rushed to a government hospital in Pollachi, where some remain in critical condition.

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

Relatives and friends of the victims have already set out for Coimbatore, where the injured and the bodies of those who died are being transported. The accident has sent shockwaves across Kerala, particularly in Malappuram district, where the victims were well-known in the local community.

The Pollachi–Valparai stretch is notorious for its challenging terrain, with more than 40 sharp hairpin bends. Drivers unfamiliar with the ghat roads often find the route difficult to navigate, especially in steep sections. Friday’s accident highlights the dangers of the route, which has witnessed several mishaps in the past.

Kerala State Police Chief Revada Chandrasekhar said he is in constant touch with his counterpart in Tamil Nadu. He assured that all possible assistance is being extended to the victims and their families, with authorities coordinating efforts to ensure timely medical care and support.

Rescue operations continued late into the evening, with teams working to recover the injured and secure the accident site. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash, though initial findings suggest the vehicle may have lost control while negotiating the sharp bend.

The tragedy has cast a pall of grief over Malappuram, turning what was meant to be a joyful holiday into one of the district’s darkest days.