School Van Plunges into Pit in Thiruvananthapuram, 32 Children Injured

A private van carrying 32 students and a teacher to St. Santa’s School in Vattiyoorkavu, Thiruvananthapuram, careened into a roadside ditch in Malamukal at around 9:30 am on Monday, leaving all occupants with minor injuries. The accident, which occurred in front of the school in a hilly area, has sparked urgent calls for improved road safety measures.

Eyewitnesses report the van lost control while the driver was reversing to drop off the children, a common practice as private vehicles are not permitted inside the school premises. A teacher attributed the mishap to the poor condition of the road and the absence of handrails, a sentiment echoed by locals who noted the lack of proper infrastructure in the area. The vehicle narrowly avoided overturning, which General Education Minister V. Sivankutty described as a stroke of luck. “It was a serious accident, but the children escaped major harm. The situation could have been unimaginable,” he said after visiting the injured at a private hospital in Sasthamangalam.

All 32 children and the teacher are stable, receiving treatment for minor cuts and bruises. Hospital authorities confirmed no serious injuries, and most are expected to be discharged after observation. The incident has raised alarm about the safety of school transportation, particularly in hilly regions where private vans often drop students on poorly maintained roads.

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Minister Sivankutty criticized the school’s policy of barring private vehicles from its premises, forcing drop-offs on the roadside. He has ordered a probe by the Motor Vehicles Department to assess the van’s condition and the driver’s competence. The police have registered a case, and investigations are underway to determine the exact cause, with preliminary findings pointing to possible driver error or road hazards.

Posts on X reflect public concern, with users urging stricter regulations for school transport. The incident follows a similar accident in Nagaroor, Thiruvananthapuram, last week, where a school bus fell into a field, injuring students. Kerala’s Education Department is now under pressure to enforce safety standards, including mandatory handrails and improved road conditions near schools. “We will take adequate steps to prevent such incidents,” Sivankutty assured, as parents and locals demand accountability.

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