Vandiperyar (Ker), Jan 15 (PTI) In the worst tragedy that struck Sabarimala pilgrims in a decade, at least 102 people returning from the shrine were killed and 50 others injured in a stampede that occurred at Pullumedu in Kerala''s Idukki district.
Over 70 bodies have been brought to the government hospital at nearby Kumali town as police and fire force worked overnight with local rescuers at the hilly terrain where the the mishap happened last evening.
According to top police sources, 102 people were confirmed dead and seven of the injured were stated to be in serious condition.
Most of the victims were from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
The tragedy struck the pilgrims returning after darshan at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa on the ''makara samkarma pooja'', when a jeep went out of control and ploughed into devotees in a narrow forest stretch at Pullumedu, triggering the stampede.
A high-level inquiry into the mishap will be ordered, government sources said.
Several ministers and senior officials are camping at the accident site and at Kumali town.
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