{
  "id": 5786333,
  "title": "Travel with caution: under-construction NH 66 in Keralam turns into a death trap",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/travel-with-caution-under-construction-nh-66-in-keralam-turns-into-a",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T14:46:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/travel-with-caution-under-construction-nh-66-in-keralam-turns-into-a-death-trap/article71432172.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A horrific crash on National Highway 66 in Thrissur, Kerala, killed eight engineering students and has raised concerns about safety on the under-construction highway. The midnight accident at Kaipamangalam involved a car carrying the engineering students colliding with a parked goods lorry. Social activist Latheef Kettummal alleged that the highway has become dangerous due to inadequate warning systems, confusing diversions, illegal parking, and speeding. Local residents claimed that three accidents occurred at the same spot in the last three days. They alleged that the lack of clear warning signs at diversion points, illegal parking, and overspeeding were contributing to the risk. The crash also exposed difficulties in determining whether a vehicle ahead was moving or parked, particularly at night on poorly marked diversion stretches. Police registered a case against the lorry driver and launched a search for him. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) rejected allegations of negligence, stating that overspeeding and illegal parking were responsible for the crash.",
  "summary": "No warning boards at several diversion points, illegal parking and over- speeding raise alarm after car crash at Kaipamangalam in Keralam’s Thrissur kills eight engineering students",
  "key_points": [
    "Eight engineering students killed in NH 66 crash in Thrissur, Kerala.",
    "Midnight accident involved car colliding with parked goods lorry.",
    "Under-construction highway criticized for safety issues."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}