Tragic Accident in Kasaragod: Six Killed After Karnataka RTC Bus Rams into Bus Shelter

In a devastating road accident at Thalappady in Kerala’s Kasaragod district, six people lost their lives after a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus crashed into a roadside bus shelter on Thursday.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the speeding bus suffered brake failure, leading the driver to lose control. The bus first struck a parked auto-rickshaw before ploughing into a crowd of people waiting at the shelter.

The auto driver and a 10-year-old girl who was travelling with him died on the spot. Among those at the shelter, three women — including a local resident, Lakshmi — were killed instantly. The deceased have been identified as Ayesha, Hasna, Khadeeja Nafeesa, and Havamumma, all reported to be residents of Karnataka.

Several passengers on the bus sustained injuries, though officials are yet to release detailed information on their condition. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals in Mangaluru with the help of local residents and police, who quickly mobilised rescue efforts.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos as the bus veered off the road, hit the auto-rickshaw, and rammed into the bus stop with high impact.

Alarming allegations have emerged regarding the condition of the bus. Locals claim the vehicle had severely worn-out tyres and lacked valid insurance, raising concerns over the maintenance and regulatory oversight of interstate buses.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident. Officials are expected to assess the mechanical condition of the bus and verify its insurance and roadworthiness status.

The tragic incident has sparked widespread anger in the region, with residents demanding stricter enforcement of transport safety norms and accountability from bus operators to prevent such preventable tragedies in the future.