A horrific road accident claimed nine lives on the Chennai–Trichy National Highway in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday night. The tragedy occurred after a Tamil Nadu State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) bus suffered a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control and crash into oncoming vehicles.
According to police, the bus was traveling from Trichy to Chennai when its front tyre burst near Eluthur in Cuddalore district. As a result, the bus veered off course, rammed into the central divider, and crossed over to the opposite side of the highway. It then collided head-on with two cars coming from the other direction.
The impact completely crushed both cars. Seven passengers traveling in the cars died on the spot, while two others succumbed to injuries during treatment. Among the deceased were noted gold trader Rajarathnam (69) from Karur, his wife Rajeshwari (57), and their driver Jayakumar.
In another car, Pudukkottai residents Mubarak, Taj Birka, and Sirajuddin also lost their lives. Reports said Sirajuddin was returning after dropping a relative at Chennai airport for travel to Canada when the accident occurred.
Following the incident, police and local residents rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations. Officials faced difficulties in retrieving bodies trapped under the mangled vehicles. The accident led to massive traffic congestion on the national highway, with vehicles stranded for several kilometers for hours.
A total of four women and a child were among the victims, police confirmed. Meanwhile, four injured passengers remain in critical condition at nearby hospitals.
The accident has once again raised concerns over a series of highway mishaps in Tamil Nadu. Preliminary investigations suggest poor vehicle maintenance and lack of regular fitness checks may have caused the tyre burst. Police have registered a case and are continuing their investigation.
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