In a heart-wrenching tragedy, four young schoolgirls were laid to rest side by side at the Thuppanad Juma Masjid graveyard in Palakkad, Kerala, after losing their lives in a horrific accident. Rida Fatima, Nida Fatima, Irfana Sherin, and Aysha A.S., all 13 years old and close friends, were crushed under a cement-laden truck that overturned on them at Panayampadam, near Kalladikode, on National Highway 966. The accident occurred on Thursday evening while they were walking home from school after their mid-term exams.
The entire Karimba village came together in deep grief as the girls’ bodies were brought home on Friday morning, following a postmortem at the Palakkad District Hospital. Their homes, located just a few meters apart in Cherully, became scenes of unimaginable sorrow. Family members, friends, and neighbors wept inconsolably as they bid farewell to the young lives lost too soon.
The bodies were later taken to the Karimpanakkal Hall in Karimba, where people from all walks of life gathered to pay their respects. The hall overflowed with mourners, and police struggled to manage the crowds that spilled onto the nearby highway. Among those who attended were Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, who led a prayer for the girls, as well as state ministers, MLAs, and local leaders from various political parties. The overwhelming presence of people highlighted the collective heartbreak felt by the community.
After the prayers, the girls were taken to the Thuppanad Juma Masjid for the final rites. Hundreds joined the funeral prayer led by Syed P.K. Imbichikoya Thangal before the girls were laid to rest in graves prepared side by side. As mourners scattered handfuls of soil over the graves, a wave of grief swept through the gathering, leaving everyone in tears.
Meanwhile, police arrested Prajeesh, the driver of a lorry involved in the accident. He admitted to careless driving, which led to the collision. His lorry struck the cement-laden truck coming from the opposite direction, causing it to lose control and overturn onto the girls. The police have charged him with serious offenses and also filed a case against the driver of the cement-laden truck.
This devastating incident has left an indelible mark on the community, highlighting the fragility of life and the importance of road safety. The memories of the four young girls will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them.