<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">At least eight people were killed and many others injured after a bus carrying 59 passengers, including two drivers, met with a tragic accident near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district on Saturday. The bus was on its way from Coonoor to Tenkasi with passengers who were on a tour to Ooty and were returning home.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia fo Rs 2 lakh to the families of people who died in the accident. "Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus accident near Coonoor in Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Those injured would be given Rs. 50,000,"&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to police, the bus lost control while navigating the hairpin bend roads, leading to a devastating plunge into the valley.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Local authorities and rescue teams rushed to the scene to provide immediate assistance. Among the rescued passengers, eight individuals lost their lives after being transported to the hospital. Several others are reported to be in critical condition, and receiving medical attention.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his heartfelt condolences and announced financial relief of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the accident.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The exact reason for the accident is yet to be determined, as police have initiated an investigation into the incident. IT</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>