102 Sabarimala pilgrims killed in stampede

Vanditeriyur (Ker), Jan 15 (PTI) In the worst tragedythat struck Sabarimala pilgrims in a decade, at least 102people returning from the shrine were killed and 50 othersinjured in a stampede that occurred at Pullumedu in Kerala''sIdukki district.

Over 70 bodies have been brought to the governmenthospital at nearby Kumali town as police and fire force workedovernight with local rescuers at the hilly terrain where thethe mishap happened last evening.

According to top police sources, 102 people wereconfirmed dead and seven of the injured were stated to be inserious condition.

Most of the victims were from Tamil Nadu, AndhraPradesh and Karnataka.

The tragedy struck the pilgrims returning afterdarshan at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa on the ''makarasamkarma pooja'', when a jeep went out of control and ploughedinto 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 atthe accident site and at Kumali town.