Thousands of people gathered in Malappuram on Saturday to pay their last respects to nine persons, including six teachers, who lost their lives in the recent Valparai road accident.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the Pang Government Higher Secondary School grounds and the victims’ homes, as mourners assembled in large numbers to bid farewell. The tragedy deeply affected the community, as many of the deceased were respected educators.
The funeral ceremonies were completed at various locations by Saturday afternoon. Seven victims were laid to rest in three mosques.
The funeral of school headmistress Ajitha was held at Shanthitheeram in Shoranur, while Asha was laid to rest at her home compound in Kolathur.
The accident occurred on the Valparai–Pollachi Ghat Road in Coimbatore district on Friday evening, when the van carrying the group veered off the road at the 13th hairpin bend and plunged nearly 800 feet. The vehicle tumbled down multiple bends before coming to a halt near the ninth hairpin bend.
The group, which was on a vacation, included staff members of Pang-Palliparamba Government LP and UP schools in Kuruva, along with their relatives. Nine people, including six teachers and a school staff member, died in the accident, while four others were injured.
Postmortem examinations were conducted at a government hospital in Pollachi between midnight and early morning. The bodies were later transported to Malappuram and kept at the school grounds to allow the public to pay their respects.
A large number of local residents, students, and family members gathered to offer condolences. Many students, including young children in school uniforms, were seen grieving as they paid tribute to their teachers.
Several leaders, including V. Sivankutty, P. K. Kunhalikutty, MLA A. P. Anil Kumar, and Manjalamkuzhi Ali, also paid their respects.
Following the public viewing, the mortal remains were taken to their respective homes for final rites.
The condition of three of the injured remains critical. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed condolences over the tragedy.