Nine killed as van collides with bus

Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, May 10 (UNI) Nine people, including five women, were killed and two others seriously injured when their van collided with a State Transport Corporation bus at Sevalaperi village on the Tirunelveli-Madurai national highway, today.

Police said the accident took place when a family from Tiruchirapalli district was proceeding to a dargah in Tirunelveli to offer prayers. The bus was bound for Madurai from Tirunelveli.

Eight people died on the spot and one succumbed to injuries in the hospital. The injured were admitted to Palayamkottai Government Hospital and Kovilpatti Government Hospital.

District Collector Palaniyandi and Superintendent of Police John Nicholson visited the spot and made necessary arrangements to retrieve the bodies.

The deceased included Liaquat Ali, working with Jamal Mohammad of Arts and Science College, his wife Ajma (55), their daughters Alima (27) and Fathima (19), relatives Jawahar Nitha, Nithisha, Madharsha and driver Kannan (22).

UNI