Pollachi: Grief-stricken families in Kerala await the final rites of nine victims of the devastating Valparai road accident, as the bodies, after completion of postmortem procedures, were transported from Pollachi to Malappuram early Saturday morning.
Officials confirmed that the postmortem examinations were conducted overnight at the Pollachi Government Hospital, beginning around midnight and concluding by 4 a.m. Shortly after, a convoy of nine ambulances departed for Malappuram at around 6 a.m., carrying the mortal remains of the deceased.
Arrangements have been made to place the bodies for public homage at Pang Ambalaparam Higher Secondary School, where large numbers of mourners are expected to gather. The victims, many of whom were teachers and staff members of Pang Palliparamba Government LP School, will later be laid to rest following funeral ceremonies.
The deceased have been identified as Ajitha (54), Ramlath (52), Suhara (43), Asha (41), Abdul Majeed (43), Ruqiya (39), Sajitha (45), Hisham (12), and Shakina (37). Among them, Headmistress Ajitha’s death has deeply shaken the community, coming just months before her planned retirement. Her body will be taken to her residence in Pulamanthol, while Asha will be laid to rest in Kolathur.
The tragic incident has left several others critically injured. The van driver Mohammed Hafiz (22), school driver Noushad (39), and Shahadeen (11), son of victim Sajitha, remain under intensive care at Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital.
The accident occurred on Friday at approximately 5:20 p.m. along the treacherous 13th hairpin bend of the Valparai ghat road. The tourist van, carrying 13 اPeople including the driver, lost control while descending the mountainous stretch and plunged nearly 300 feet into a gorge. The group had been returning from a sightseeing trip.
Seven women and a child were among those who lost their lives, turning what was meant to be a day of joy into an unimaginable tragedy. Among the victims was Abdul Majeed, a visually impaired individual, who was accompanied by his wife Ruqiya. Shakina, another victim, had recently been transferred to an upper primary school and had joined the excursion to reconnect with her former colleagues.
In a rare moment of survival amid the devastation, 11-year-old Masneen, daughter of Shakina, escaped with minor injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Perinthalmanna District Hospital. Her condition is reported to be stable. State Minister K. Krishnankutty visited the young survivor on Friday, offering support and assurances to the grieving family.
As Malappuram prepares to bid farewell to its beloved teachers and community members, the tragedy has sparked renewed concerns over road safety on mountainous routes, especially in high-risk zones like Valparai.