A head-on collision between two private buses on a state highway in Tamil Nadu’s Tenkasi district, in India, killed six people and injured at least 56 others on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. The crash occurred around 11:00 a.m. near Idaikkal village on the Tenkasi-Senkottai state highway, prompting a major rescue operation by emergency services and local authorities.

Among the six fatalities, five were women, and one was a man. All victims died on the spot from the impact of the collision. Several of the injured remain in critical condition with multiple fractures, head trauma, and internal injuries, raising concerns that the death toll could rise.

According to police, the accident occurred when a Keysar Travels bus traveling from Madurai to Senkottai suddenly veered into the opposite lane while attempting a high-speed overtaking maneuver. The bus collided directly with an oncoming private bus traveling from Tenkasi. The sheer force of the impact left both vehicles severely damaged, with the front section of one bus completely mangled.

Preliminary findings point to reckless and negligent driving by the Keysar bus driver as the primary cause of the collision. Police investigators have cited excessive speed as a major factor in the crash. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the bus heading from Madurai was responsible for the accident,” a police officer said.

Emergency responders launched a two-hour rescue operation to free passengers trapped inside the mangled steel frames of both vehicles. Firefighters used hydraulic cutters and heavy equipment to extract victims from the wreckage. A JCB machine was brought to the scene to help clear debris and wreckage scattered across the highway.

All of the injured passengers were transported to Tenkasi Government Medical College Hospital and nearby private trauma centers for treatment.

Traffic was disrupted at the accident site for several hours as rescue teams worked to clear the wreckage and assist the injured. Visuals from the scene showed shattered glass strewn across the road and locals gathering to help emergency crews.

Police have registered a case under Sections 105 and 118 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the Keysar bus driver. Section 105 addresses culpable homicide not amounting to murder, while Section 118 covers causing hurt by rash driving. A special investigation team has been formed to conduct a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Investigators are examining CCTV footage from nearby toll plazas to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the collision. Authorities are also collecting eyewitness testimonies from survivors and bystanders to determine whether mechanical failure or systemic violations by the transport company contributed to the accident.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life in the accident. He immediately contacted the district-in-charge minister, KKSSR Ramachandran, and directed him to rush to the accident site. Stalin also spoke with the district collector, who was present at the scene, and “instructed him to visit the government hospital to ensure all injured passengers receive high-quality treatment.”

The chief minister extended his condolences to the families of the victims, stating that the government stands with them during this difficult time and remains committed to the speedy recovery of those injured.

The Keysar operator’s permit has been suspended on the route following the accident, according to multiple reports. The suspension reflects authorities’ concerns about the company’s safety practices and driver oversight.

This incident marks one of the deadliest road accidents in the Tenkasi district this year. Bus accidents involving private operators have raised ongoing concerns about driver training, vehicle maintenance, and enforcement of traffic safety regulations on state highways throughout Tamil Nadu.

Authorities continue to investigate all aspects of the crash, including whether the bus operators followed proper safety protocols and whether drivers had adequate rest before beginning their routes. The investigation will also examine maintenance records for both vehicles to rule out any mechanical defects that may have contributed to the accident.