17 killed in Tamil Nadu road accident

KRISHNAGIRI: At least 17 people, including two women, have been killed and 57 injured when the lorry they were travelling in turned turtle at a village in this district.

The mishap occurred at Kathripallam village late last night as the driver of the lorry, with 80 people, apparently lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a sharp curve in the hilly terrain, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Salem range) Alexander Mohan said.

Those travelling in the lorry were returning to Krishnagiri and nearby places after attending a death-related ceremony on the banks of river Cauvery at Anjatty in the district, he said.

Since the mishap took place in a remote area, rescue operations were delayed.

Seventeen bodies, including that of two women, were recovered till this morning, he said, adding, the toll was likely to rise.

The injured were admitted to various hospitals in Thenkanikottai and Hosur and in Bangalore, Mohan said.

Krishnagiri District Collector Santhosh Babu and Superintendent of Police Thenmozhi were supervising the rescue operations.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has ordered immediate payment of Rs 50,000 each to the families of those who died in the accident.

Karunanidhi also ordered payment of Rs 35,000 each to those seriously injured and being treated in Bangalore and Rs 15,000 each to their family members.

Those injured and taking treatment in Hosur would be given Rs 15,000 each. The Chief Minister also asked the Krishnagiri District Collector to take steps for immediate payment of the relief.