Accident near Sabarimala, 100 feared dead

Idukki : Worst tragedy that struck Sabarimala pilgrims in a decade, at least 102 people returning from the shrine were killed tonight when a Jeep went out of control and ploughed into devotees in a narrow forest stretch at Pullumedu in Idukki district, triggering a stampede.

Photos : Mathrubhumi Daily

’55 bodies have so far been recovered from the site’, which is a remote area on the border with Tamil Nadu, Kerala Education Minister M A Baby said. Pathanamthitta district Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar said upto 102 people were killed.  At least 100 people were also injured, many of them seriously, in the incident.
Baby said most of the people died in the stampede whichbroke out after the accident at 8.15 PM. ‘We are not in a position to specify at this stage how many were killed by the jeep and how many perished in the stampede’, Baby added. The Minister said the van went out of control and crashed into the crowd of pilgrims, resulting in a stampede.
Ten years ago, a stampede at Pampa on way to the hill shrine killed 50 people on the occasion of Makar Jyoti.
Defence Minister A K Antony has offered to Kerala government all the help from defence forces for rescue
operations. A special team of the National Disaster Response Force has left for the spot.


Read more: http://onekerala.com/102-sabarimala-devotees-killed-in-an-accident-1990#ixzz1B4aqP7Bp