At Vadakkencherry in the early hours of Thursday, a speeding tourist bus collided with a bus operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, leaving nine people—including five schoolchildren—dead and 22 others injured.
According to the police, the accident happened when a tourist bus travelling at 97 km/h hit the back of a state-run bus while attempting to pass a vehicle on the Walayar-Vadakkancherry road. Five kids, a teacher, and three KSRTC passengers are among the deceased.
Transport Minister Antony Raju issued an inquiry order and promised to tighten safety regulations for all private buses. The minister claimed that before hiring a carriage for the tour, school officials had to get the tour vehicle inspected and have the driver's background checked by the transport department. An official said that J Joemon, the tourist bus's driver, was later apprehended after fleeing the scene of the accident.