A tragic road accident in Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu, claimed the lives of six people and left 28 others injured on Monday, according to authorities and NDTV reports. The collision involved two state-run buses, which crashed head-on under circumstances that are currently under investigation.
Police stated that one bus, operated by Kesar, was travelling from Madurai to Sengottai, while the other bus was headed towards Kovilpatti. The accident occurred when the vehicles reached the Tenkasi area, resulting in a violent impact that mangled both buses. Six passengers were killed instantly at the scene, while dozens more sustained injuries of varying severity.
The injured were immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where medical staff reported that several individuals are in critical condition. Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise as doctors continue to provide urgent care.
A senior Tamil Nadu police officer told NDTV that preliminary investigations suggest reckless driving as a likely cause. The Kesar-operated bus from Madurai to Sengottai is suspected to have been travelling at excessive speed, which may have contributed to the collision. Police have launched a formal investigation, reviewing CCTV footage from the area to determine the exact sequence of events.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed the district collector to ensure that the injured receive prompt and adequate medical treatment. Local authorities have also called for heightened road safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a chaotic aftermath, with both buses severely damaged and passengers trapped inside. Rescue teams worked swiftly to extricate victims and clear the wreckage, while police maintained control of the site to facilitate investigations.
| Bus Route | Direction | Fatalities | Injured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madurai → Sengottai (Kesar) | Northbound | 6 | 28 |
| Kovilpatti-bound bus | Southbound | – | Included in 28 |
Authorities continue to appeal to witnesses to provide information and urged drivers to adhere strictly to speed limits, especially on hilly and accident-prone roads. The accident has once again highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations in the state.