Chennai Metro work likely behind Anna Salai road accident, cave-in takes along MTC bus and car

An MTC bus and a car fell into a huge crater formed after a portion of Mount Road also known as Anna Salai Road caved in Chennai earlier on Sunday, risking the lives of nearly 35 passengers onboard, reports said. According to NewsTodaynet.com , the incident took place near US Consulate in Chennai.

“The road suddenly developed a hole and the bus fell into it. A luxury car also fell inside,” the report said. Sources told the news website that the hole developed following Chennai Metro Rail works.

According to CNN-News18, at least 10 passengers were injured in the accident.

The Hindu reported that the cave-in occurred during tunnel boring work for the Chennai Metro rail. According to Times of India report, the accident took place “around 50 feet from a cave in that had happened a few days ago near the flyover”.

“The fire department has brought in vehicles to bring out the bus and the car. The police have diverted the traffic on this stretch. Vehicles moving towards DMS and Teynampet are being diverted via Royapettah clock tower, Lloyds Road, and Cathedral Road,” the Hindu said.

The bus, which was proceeding from Parrys to Vadapalani was at the bus stop around 2.30 pm when mild tremors were felt, the The New Indian Express reported. “Within moments it fell into a sudden cave in the road and was followed by a car that was trying to overtake the bus,” it said.

The Times of India report said that the driver felt some movement and he thought it was a tyre puncture. “When he peeped out, he saw the road caving in. The driver asked the passengers to get down immediately. After the passengers got down, the bus started to sink,” it said.

According to latest reports, all the traffic in the area has been diverted, and the area has been cordoned off.