Tragic Landslide Claims Life of Driver in Tamil Nadu Bus Incident

Nilgiri, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : A devastating landslide struck a government bus near Parliyar in Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu, on October 24, resulting in the death of the driver, Janagaraj. Fortunately, around 50 passengers were safely evacuated just moments before the incident occurred.

Rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover Janagaraj’s body from the debris. Initial reports suggested he had escaped, but it later became clear that he was trapped inside the vehicle and did not survive.

The bus conductor, Keshavan, was found injured and was promptly taken to the hospital. He recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the landslide, stating that only he and the driver were on board when the hillside collapsed. “Trees started falling on the road one after another. As we tried to bring the bus to a stop, we were caught in the landslide,” Keshavan explained.

The bus was en route from Coimbatore to Ooty when it suffered a flat tire shortly before reaching the affected area. Passengers had been evacuated due to the tire issue, and just minutes later, a massive landslide engulfed the bus, covering it with debris.

Emergency teams launched a rescue operation immediately after the incident was reported. They successfully extracted the injured conductor, but efforts to reach the driver continued until his body was recovered. This unfortunate outcome contradicted earlier reports that indicated a successful rescue, confirming that only one life was lost in the tragedy.

Meanwhile, cleanup operations were underway to remove fallen trees, rocks, and soil from the hillside road, with the aim of restoring traffic between Coimbatore and Ooty as swiftly as possible. The situation remains critical as authorities work to ensure safety in the area.