At least nine people were killed after a tourist van plunged off a cliff along the Valparai ghat road in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district, in one of the deadliest road accidents reported in the region this year. The incident occurred on a stretch known for its sharp hairpin bends and steep terrain.

According to police, the vehicle lost control while negotiating a turn—reportedly around the 13th hairpin bend—before skidding off the road and falling into a deep gorge below. The van eventually landed several bends down the hillside, highlighting the severity of the fall.

The victims were part of a group travelling from Kerala, many of whom were school staff and their family members on a leisure trip. Reports indicate that the van was carrying around 13 passengers at the time of the accident, with multiple fatalities confirmed on the spot and several others sustaining critical injuries.

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Emergency services, including police and medical teams, rushed to the scene and launched a large-scale rescue operation. Ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals in Pollachi and Coimbatore, while authorities worked to retrieve bodies from the gorge.

Preliminary findings suggest that the accident may have been caused by loss of control on the winding mountain road, though the exact reason is yet to be determined. The Valparai route, with its series of tight bends and steep drops, has long been considered hazardous, especially for vehicles descending the hills.

The tragedy has triggered widespread grief, with leaders expressing condolences to the families of the victims. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident, while officials have reiterated the need for heightened caution on ghat roads, particularly in high-risk zones like Valparai.

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