Accidental death gets initial reactions in series of messages (6)

I believe the answer is:

thread

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'series of messages' is the definition.
'thread' can be an answer for 'series' (thesaurus). I'm unsure of the 'of messages' bit.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for thread that I've seen before include "Train of thought - screw feature" , "Fine cord for sewing" , "Fine cord of twisted fibres" , "Filament; connecting link" , "Dearth of sewing material" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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