Multiple collisions in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district: At least 17 killed

Krishnagiri (Tamil Nadu), June 3: Seventeen people were killed and over 15 injured in a road accident near Krishnagiri on Friday after a truck lost control and collided with a bus on the opposite lane which fell on a car coming close behind.

A cargo truck which was coming from Hosur lost control after one of its tyres burst. The truck then hit the median, swerved and collided head-on with a private bus on the opposite lane which was heading towards Hosur from. In the impact, the bus fell partially on the car on one side.

"Total 17 persons were killed including a girl child," Gurbarapalli Police Inspector G Srinivasan said.

"Initially, the number of dead persons was six and quickly the toll climbed to seventeen as some of the seriously wounded succumbed to their injuries. All the bodies are in Krishnagiri GH," he told PTI, adding over 15 injured persons were also being treated at the hospital.

Condoling the mishap, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced a solatium of Rs 1 lakh to each of the dead victims' kin and Rs 50,000 assistance to the grievously injured from the Chief Minister Relief Fund. "I was deeply grieved by the death of 17 persons," she said.

"Krishnagiri District Collector and Police Superintendent are on the spot undertaking relief work," Jayalalithaa said in a statement.

She said Health Minister Vijayabaskar and Animal Husbandry Minister Balakrishna Reddy have been deputed to ensure best treatment for the injured and also visit the kin of dead in their moment of grief.

PTI