Valparai Cliff Tragedy: 9 From Kerala's Malappuram Killed As Tourist Van Plunges Into Gorge
A devastating road accident on the winding ghat roads of Valparai in Coimbatore district claimed the lives of nine people from Kerala’s Malappuram district on Friday evening, April 17.
The victims were part of a 12-member tourist group travelling in a van that plunged into a deep gorge after reportedly losing control at a dangerous hairpin curve along the Valparai–Pollachi ghat stretch.
The accident is believed to have occurred between hairpin bends 13 and 9, a notoriously risky segment of the route known for its steep drops and sharp turns.
Among those killed were seven women and a 12-year-old boy. Authorities confirmed that most of the deceased were teachers from the Government Lower Primary School in Malappuram, located in Kuruva panchayat, along with a few of their family members.
Three individuals, including the driver, sustained critical injuries and were initially rushed to Pollachi before being shifted to a hospital in Coimbatore for advanced medical care. Their condition remains serious.
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According to preliminary reports, the group had embarked on a day trip from Pang early Friday morning.
Their journey included stops at popular tourist destinations such as Athirappilly Waterfalls, Vazhachal Waterfalls, and Malakkappara before reaching Valparai. The tragic accident occurred while they were returning from the hill station.
Rescue operations were carried out swiftly by local residents, police personnel, and teams from the Fire and Rescue Services, who worked in challenging terrain to retrieve victims from the gorge.
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Senior officials from the Coimbatore district administration and police department supervised the efforts on-site.
The bodies have been taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Pollachi for post-mortem examinations, as confirmed by district authorities.
