At least 12 people were killed and more than 40 others injured after two Tamil Nadu government buses collided head-on near Kummangudi village, close to Kundrakkudi, in Sivaganga district on Sunday evening, officials said.
The impact of the collision was devastating, with several passengers dying at the site and many others trapped inside the wreckage. Rescue efforts continued for hours as police, emergency teams, and local residents worked together to pull victims out of the mangled buses.
Preliminary information suggests that both buses were travelling in opposite directions on a narrow road when the crash occurred. Authorities are examining possible causes, including excessive speed, poor visibility, and driver fatigue.
The injured were rushed to government and private hospitals in Sivaganga and Karaikudi. Doctors said multiple victims suffered fractures, head injuries, and severe trauma, and several remain in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic soon after the crash, with injured passengers crying for help while shattered glass and twisted metal littered the road. Locals reportedly broke open bus doors and windows to rescue those trapped inside.
Traffic movement was disrupted for nearly an hour before police cleared the debris and restored normal flow.
The Sivaganga crash has once again highlighted the growing concern over fatal road accidents in Tamil Nadu. Only days earlier, six people, including five women, lost their lives in a head-on collision between two private buses in Tenkasi district.
Tamil Nadu continues to report one of the highest numbers of road accidents in the country, recording over 67,000 crashes in 2023 alone nearly 14 per cent of India&rsquo;s total. While enforcement drives and awareness campaigns have led to a marginal drop in fatalities this year, major accidents involving buses and heavy vehicles continue to claim lives.
Recent months have seen a rise in fatal crashes in districts such as Trichy, Salem, and Villupuram. Authorities point to speeding, long driving hours, and poor adherence to safety norms as key concerns.
The latest incident has renewed demands for stricter monitoring of government buses, regular driver fitness checks, improved road design on accident-prone stretches, and tougher action against traffic violations.
Police have launched a detailed investigation, and district officials are expected to submit a comprehensive report as victim identification and accident analysis continue. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

12 Killed as Two Buses Crash in Tamil Nadu

Head-on collision in Sivaganga leaves 12 dead and over 40 injured

12 Killed as Two Buses Crash in Tamil Nadu

Head-on collision in Sivaganga leaves 12 dead and over 40 injured

November 30, 2025 | 19:31 IST