A Tamil Nadu government bus carrying 32 passengers overturned and fell into the Azhutha Kanni river near Vettaikarankulam in Tenkasi district on Sunday, leaving more than 20 people feared trapped and 17 passengers injured, police said.
The bus was operating on the Tenkasi-Tirunelveli route when it plunged into the river, which is around 30 feet below the road level. The accident prompted an emergency response from Tenkasi fire and rescue personnel, who reached the site after receiving information and began rescue operations.
Police said more than 20 passengers were feared trapped inside the bus following the fall. The available account did not provide a confirmed death toll or establish how many passengers had been rescued at the time of reporting. The figures may therefore change as the operation continues and authorities verify the condition of those on board.
Seventeen passengers were reported injured in the crash. The injured passengers were taken to Tenkasi Government Hospital for treatment, while the bus driver, identified as 49-year-old Sivasakthi, was shifted to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital after sustaining severe injuries.
The crash occurred on a route connecting Tenkasi and Tirunelveli, placing attention on the safety of public transport operations and road sections where carriageways run above water bodies. The river was reported to be approximately 30 feet below the road, although the available information did not specify what caused the bus to overturn or whether road, vehicle or weather conditions played a role.
Tamil Nadu government buses serve as a primary transport link for residents travelling between towns and districts, particularly for passengers who depend on state-run services for work, education, healthcare and daily journeys. The incident has consequently created an immediate need for authorities to account for every passenger, provide medical care to the injured and secure the accident site.
Courtallam Police are investigating the incident. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances leading to the bus leaving the road and to determine the sequence of events before the vehicle entered the river. Further official updates are required to confirm the final number of rescued passengers, the extent of injuries and whether any passengers remain unaccounted for.
Rescue personnel continued operations at the accident location, while the injured passengers remained under treatment at the two government hospitals. Police investigation and the ongoing rescue effort are the next official steps in establishing the full impact of the Tenkasi bus crash.
