Palakkad: Four eighth-grade students from Karimba Higher Secondary School lost their lives when a cement-laden lorry overturned and ran over them at Kalladikode in Kerala's Palakkad district. The lorry, en route to Mannarkkad, lost control and toppled over.
The deceased students have been identified as Irfana, Mitha, Rida, and Ayesha. Another student who sustained injuries is undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.
Expressing grief over the incident, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called it shocking and deeply saddening. “The government will ensure prompt treatment for the injured children and conduct a detailed investigation into the accident. Necessary measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. My heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims,” he stated.
The accident has led to protests by residents, who attribute the tragedy to inadequate safety measures in the area. Demonstrators called for a review of the bad road conditions, which they claim have contributed to a rise in such accidents.
