48 pilgrims have been taken to different hospitals.

Pathanamthitta (Kerala). A bus carrying pilgrims from Tamil Nadu after visiting Sabarimala fell into a deep gorge in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district on Tuesday. 64 people aboard the bus were injured in the accident, in which the condition of some is said to be serious. Police said that at the time of the accident, the devotees were returning from the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. The injured have been admitted to the hospital after the incident.

According to the police, at least 64 people, including nine children, were on board when the bus fell into a gorge at Elavankal near Nilakkal around 1.30 pm. All the pilgrims are from Mayiladurai district of Tamil Nadu. There was an outcry after the accident. On information, a team of police, fire brigade and rescue officers reached the spot. With the help of the local people, the injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals. State Health Minister Veena George said in a Facebook post that 11 pilgrims have been shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam.

Police told that 48 pilgrims have been taken to different hospitals. The condition of some of the injured is said to be serious. Officials said that those who suffered minor injuries were discharged. George, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad and Devaswom Minister K. State ministers, including Radhakrishnan, met the injured pilgrims at the hospital here. Citing the preliminary assessment of officials of the Motor Vehicles Department, Prasad said that the driver lost control of the vehicle due to brake failure of the bus, which led to the accident.