Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, May 4: A pilgrimage journey turned tragic early Sunday when four individuals from Kerala lost their lives and three others sustained critical injuries in a devastating road accident near Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.

The incident occurred around 4 a.m. near Koradacheri when an Omni van carrying seven pilgrims from Thiruvananthapuram collided head-on with a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus en route to Thanjavur. The group was traveling to the revered Velankanni Basilica in Nagapattinam district.

The crash claimed the lives of Rajinath, Rajesh, Sajith, and Rahul on the spot. The severely injured—Rajinas, Sabi, and Sunil—were rushed to the Tiruvarur Government Hospital, where they remain under intensive care.

Dr. S. Manoharan, on duty at the hospital, confirmed that all three survivors sustained serious trauma including head injuries and internal bleeding. “We are doing everything we can. Their condition is being closely monitored,” he said.

Local residents who witnessed the aftermath described the scene as horrifying. “The van was crushed beyond recognition. It looked like the driver lost control and drifted into the bus’s path,” said R. Kannan, who assisted rescue teams at the site.

Preliminary police findings suggest that fatigue or drowsiness may have led to the van veering into the opposite lane. Investigations are ongoing, and the bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examinations.

Velankanni is a popular Christian pilgrimage destination that draws lakhs of visitors annually, particularly from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The busy route has been flagged in the past for increasing accident rates, particularly during peak travel seasons.

Tamil Nadu continues to report some of the highest road accident statistics in the country, with driver fatigue and overspeeding identified as key contributors.

Further details are awaited as authorities continue their investigation.