The quiet village of Pang in Malappuram, Kerala, on Saturday became a tableau of shared sorrow as the bodies of nine individuals, mostly educators and their kin from the local Palliparamba Government Lower Primary School, were returned for public viewing. The somber procession arrived at the Government Higher Secondary School, Pang, after post-mortem examinations were concluded in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu. The devastating incident involved a van carrying 13 people that lost control on the Valparai Ghat Road on Friday evening, plunging an estimated 500 feet down a hillside.
The victims, seven women and two men, were part of a group on a recreational trip. The accident occurred around 5:15 PM to 5:30 PM on Friday, specifically at the 13th hairpin bend while descending the ghat road. The van reportedly fell onto the 9th hairpin bend below. Four other individuals sustained injuries and are receiving intensive care at Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital, including the van driver Mohammed Hafiz (22), school driver Noushad (39), and Shahadeen (11), son of victim Sajitha.
"Losing such people is a huge loss for the school."
The close-knit nature of the school community was palpable, with students, parents, and villagers gathering in large numbers, many visibly distressed. The school premises transformed into a site of collective mourning as the bodies were laid out for the community to pay their final respects. Images circulated showed a final group photograph of the travelling party, a poignant reminder of happier times now overshadowed by tragedy.
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Several local and state officials, including State General Education Minister V Sivankutty, MLA A P Anil Kumar, and Manjalamkuzhi Ali, visited the school to offer condolences. The government has reportedly assured support, including counselling services and financial aid, and pledged to address staffing needs at the school before its reopening after the summer break in June.
The deceased include Headmistress Ajitha, teachers Ramla, Suhara, Asha, and Abdul Majeed; Majeed’s wife Rukiya; school cooking staff Sajitha; Suhara’s son Hisham; and Shakkeena, a teacher from Pang GUP School. The van driver Mohammed Hafiz and school driver Noushad were part of the group.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the safety of ghat road travel. Investigations into the precise cause of the accident are reportedly underway. The community now faces the daunting task of healing and rebuilding after this profound loss.
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