Malappuram, April 18 (NationPress) The state of Kerala is engulfed in profound sorrow following the catastrophic road accident in Valparai that tragically took the lives of nine individuals, leaving a village and a school in devastation.

On Saturday morning, the remains of the victims were returned to their hometown in Perinthalmanna, attracting a large gathering of mourners who came to pay their last respects.

Ambulances transporting the deceased arrived at the Pang Ambalapparamba Government Higher Secondary School around 9:15 A.M. after the postmortem was conducted in Pollachi earlier that day.

A vast crowd of mourners, including students, colleagues, and local residents, had assembled, many grappling with the overwhelming tragedy.

The bodies were displayed for public viewing for nearly an hour before funeral processions commenced to their respective homes.

Burial services are expected to conclude before noon.

This disaster has particularly impacted the educational community at Pang.

Out of the eight teachers at the school, five, including headmistress P. Ajitha and teacher Abdul Majeed, lost their lives, leaving the institution in a state of shock.

What was once a close-knit team is now reduced to just four members, effectively leaving the school feeling abandoned.

The victims were part of a 13-member group from Pang Pallipparamba Government LP School on a leisure excursion.

After visiting Athirappilly and Valparai on Friday evening, their vehicle lost control at the 13th hairpin bend on the ghat road around 5:15 P.M., overturning and plunging nearly 500 feet into a gorge.

Nine individuals, including seven women and one child, died either instantly or shortly thereafter in hospital.

Four others sustained injuries, with two, Mohammed Faiz and Noushad Ali, in critical condition at Coimbatore Medical College.

Other young survivors are receiving treatment, with healthcare professionals closely monitoring their recovery.

Minister V. Sivankutty and prominent leaders, including P.K. Kunhalikutty and Panakkad Sadiqali Shihab Thangal, visited the school to express their condolences.

The government has committed to covering the medical expenses of the injured, providing financial support to the bereaved families, and arranging counseling for affected students.

New teachers are to be appointed before the upcoming academic year.

As grief envelops Pang, the silence left by those who once filled classrooms and homes with joy is deafening.

A journey that began in happiness has culminated in profound loss, leaving behind memories that will endure long after the final prayers are uttered.