11 pilgrims killed as truck overturns in Kerala

ERUMELY - Eleven pilgrims headed to Kerala’s famed Sabarimala temple from Andhra Pradesh were killed when the truck they were travelling in fell into a gorge in Pathanamthitta district late Tuesday, officials said.

According to witnesses, the accident occurred around 7 p.m. when the truck overturned and hurtled down a 30-feet deep gorge en-route to the temple at Sabarimala, which is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.

The injured have been administered first aid at Kanjirapally hospital and are being transported to the Kottayam Medical College.

K. Sivadasan Nair, the local legislator, told IANS there were more than 40 people onboard the truck and that many plastic bags filled with sand had been placed in the vehicle to make the journey more comfortable.

“This is really sad…how can people and that too so many of them travel on a lorry? How can this happen? There should be a clear guideline on transportation. And authorities have to take care of the movement of pilgrims,” said Nair.

“Local people engaged in the rescue operations said all those involved in the accident have been rescued. The locals rose to the occasion. I am told that the sand bags fell on the people and around 10 people are serious,” he added.

State Devasom Minister Kadanapally Ramachandran said he was on his way to the accident site.

“I have spoken to the district administration and have been told that the toll is high and there are several people who have been injured also,” Ramachandran told reporters.