Four young men lost their lives in two separate road collisions in Thiruvananthapuram in the early hours of Thursday, police said. The incidents occurred on different stretches of road within the city and have prompted a formal investigation by local authorities.
The first collision took place at Veli when a car struck a motorcycle that was travelling from the All Saints College area towards Veli. The two riders on the motorcycle were identified as Abbas, 20, and Shafath, 26, both residents of Poonthura. The impact threw the riders onto the road. They were taken to the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital by officers from the Valiyathura police station, but both succumbed to their injuries.
Thiruvananthapuram road accidents and investigation
The second fatal crash occurred near Prasanth Nagar on the Ulloor–Akkulam road. A motorcycle heading from Akkulam towards Ulloor collided head-on with a car. The riders, identified as Mohammed Favas, 23, and Mohammed Faizi, 21, of Azhikode, died at the scene or shortly after being taken to hospital. The two worked locally—Favas at a mobile phone shop in Karyavattom and Faizi at a chicken shop in Azhikode—and were reported to be returning home after celebrating the New Year at a shopping mall.
Police said the car involved in the Ulloor–Akkulam collision sustained severe frontal damage. Officers who examined the vehicle found liquor bottles scattered inside. Four young men who had been travelling in the car were taken into custody; they were identified as Aswin, Abhin, Amal and Sarath of Parassala. Investigating officers said they would subject the occupants to questioning and arrange the necessary forensic tests, including blood alcohol analysis.
Cases have been registered in both incidents and investigations are under way, the police said. Preliminary inquiries will look into whether excessive speed, overtaking, poor visibility or impairment contributed to the collisions. Officers also said they would review any available CCTV footage and seek witness statements in order to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Local residents and road safety campaigners expressed concern at the number of serious collisions in recent months. Officials reiterated the importance of helmet use, adherence to speed limits and avoiding driving under the influence. The police urged anyone with information about either crash to come forward to assist the investigation.
Autopsies and toxicology reports are expected to take several days. Depending on the findings, the detained occupants of the car could face charges ranging from dangerous driving to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The police statement said the investigation would be conducted in accordance with established procedures and that further updates would be provided as enquiries progress.
The double fatalities have left families and communities shaken as authorities seek to determine the exact causes of the collisions and to prevent similar tragedies in future.
Key Takeaways:
- Two separate collisions in the early hours killed four young men in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Victims included Abbas (20) and Shafath (26) from Poonthura, and Mohammed Favas (23) and Mohammed Faizi (21) from Azhikode.
- Liquor bottles were found in the car involved in the Ulloor–Akkulam crash; four occupants were taken into custody.
- Police have registered cases and launched investigations; forensic tests and autopsies are pending.
