Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep grief over the devastating bus accident in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district, which left at least 12 people dead and around 40 injured.

In a post shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on X, he conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

“The loss of lives due to a mishap in Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover soon,” the PMO quoted him as saying.

The Prime Minister also announced financial assistance from the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF) — ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.

The collision took place on Sunday evening near Kummangudi, close to Kundrakkudi, when two Tamil Nadu government buses crashed head-on along a narrow road stretch. The impact was so severe that several passengers died instantly, while many others were trapped inside the crushed buses.

Locals were the first to respond, rushing to the spot to help rescue teams pull survivors from the wreckage and shift the injured to nearby hospitals. Emergency personnel continued operations late into the night as the casualty numbers climbed.

Authorities have launched an investigation into what caused the crash. Initial suspicion includes overspeeding, poor visibility, or driver fatigue, though officials said a detailed probe is underway. Police and transport department teams inspected the site on Monday to examine road conditions and gather forensic evidence.

The injured have been admitted to hospitals in Sivaganga and Karaikudi, where doctors are treating multiple cases of fractures, head injuries, and other critical conditions. Several passengers remain in serious condition, prompting hospitals to keep extra emergency resources ready.

The tragedy has triggered widespread grief across the region, with leaders from various political parties offering condolences. Meanwhile, the state administration is coordinating with district authorities to ensure that families of both the deceased and the injured receive all necessary support.