CHENNAI: At least nine people were killed on the spot after a SETC bus travelling from Tiruchy to Chennai met with a major accident in Cuddalore district on Wednesday night.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, the bus was passing through the Ezhuthur area when its front tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control of the bus. The bus then crashed into the median, breaking it, and plunged into the opposite lane, where it hit two cars coming from the other direction.

Seven out of the nine victims were travelling in the two cars. Both vehicles were completely mangled beyond recognition in the impact. Several others sustained injuries in the accident.

On receiving information, police rushed to the spot, recovered the bodies and sent the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. The accident led to severe traffic congestion on the Chennai–Tiruchi National Highway, with vehicular movement disrupted for several hours.

An investigation is under way .