Eight Tamil Nadu engineering students killed in Kerala highway crash

Eight engineering students from Tamil Nadu lost their lives when their car collided with a stationary goods lorry on National Highway 66 in Kerala's Thrissur district around midnight on Friday. The collision occurred at Panambikkunnu Centre in Kaipamangalam, a location where road widening work is currently underway. The Tamil Nadu-registered vehicle, carrying the eight students, reportedly struck the rear of the lorry, which was parked near a temporary diversion set up for the highway construction.

The victims were students of PSM Engineering College in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. Rescue teams arrived at the scene following the crash and had to cut open the severely damaged car to recover the trapped individuals. Seven students succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while the eighth was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries but tragically passed away shortly after.

Police and emergency personnel swiftly recovered the bodies and transported them for further procedures. An investigation into the accident is currently underway. Authorities are working diligently to identify the remaining three victims and notify their families. The circumstances surrounding the crash are being probed by the police.

This accident unfolded as extensive widening work continues on multiple segments of National Highway 66 in Kerala, resulting in diversions and traffic restrictions at various locations. Additional details are expected as the investigation progresses.