CHENNAI, Nov 30 : In a horrific head-on collision involving two state-owned buses, a total of 11 people, including nine women and a driver, were killed and 54 others injured near Thirupathur in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu today evening, even as Chief Minister M K Stalin condoled the deaths and announced a solatium of Rs three lakh each to the families of the deceased.
According to police, the head-on collision occurred due to overspeeding of both the buses coming in the opposite direction on a single-lane road towards Pillaiyarpatti, a pilgrim centre.
While one bus was heading to Madurai, the other one was on its way to Karaikkudi and they collided head-on near the bridge at Kumbangudi.
The 11 victims, including the driver of a bus, died on the spot.
The front portion of the buses were badly damaged under the impact of the collision and rescue teams had great difficulty in retrieving the bodies.
On information, ambulances were rushed and took the injured to the Sivaganga and Karaikudi Government hospitals, while those seriously injured were shifted to Rajaji Government Hospital in Madurai for advanced treatment.
The District Collector has directed that additional doctors and paramedical personnel be in place to treat the injured.
Tamil Nadu Minister KR Periyakaruppan rushed to the spot to supervise the rescue mission.
Post mortem of the deceased could be conducted tonight itself, sources said.
Health Minister Ma Subramanian said the injured were shifted to Sivagangai and Karaikudi government hospitals, where enough doctors are deployed on duty.
He also said there was enough stock of medicines in these hospitals.
Doctors in speciality departments like neuro and ortho are being sent to these hospitals to provide treatment.
Those who sustained serious injuries and needed treatment at the Intensive Care Unit, were shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai.
The Minister also said steps were being taken for performing post mortem on the bodies of the deceased. After getting permission from the District Collector, the autopsies would be performed tonight itself.
Meanwhile, Mr Stalin expressed deep anguish and sorrow over the death of 11 people and announced a solatium of Rs three lakh to the families of the deceased.
While deputing additional doctors to the hospitals from neighbouring districts, including experts in specialities like Ortho andNeuro,
Mr Stalin condoled the deaths of 11 people and announced a solatium of Rs three lakh each to their families, besides Rs one lakh each
to those seriously injured and Rs 50,000 to who who sustained minor injuries.
This tragedy comes close on the heels of a recent head-on collision involving two buses in Tenkasi district.
*UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
