Palakkad: Three cleaners from Tamil Nadu lost their lives after being struck by a train at Shoranur in Palakkad on Saturday.
According to Manorama News, a team of four contract workers - two men and two women - were cleaning the railway tracks on the bridge over the Bharatapuzha river when the Kerala Express approached. They could not reach the other end in time, were hit by the train, and three fell into the river.
Three bodies have been recovered and moved to the Palakkad District Hospital mortuary. The deceased - Rani, Valli and Lakshmanan - were all natives of Salem.
Meanwhile, officials have temporarily halted the search for the fourth person, Lakshmanan. "Based on the information we received, the individuals fell into the river between pillars 3 and 4. Underwater currents are strong in this area, and visibility has dropped with nightfall. The search will resume once a scuba team from Palakkad arrives. We aim to resume today if possible; otherwise, the operation will continue from tomorrow," said a Fire Force official.
