SABARIMALA: Around 100 people were killed and 15 injured in a shocking tragedy that marked a tearful end to this year’s Sabarimala pilgrimage season.
The pilgrims were returning after viewing ‘Makarajyothi’ from Pulmedu, a traditional forest route that connects Vandiperiyar in Idukki district to Sannidhanam, when a stampede broke out around 8.15 pm on Friday.
Eyewitnesses said 65 bodies were taken to the government hospital at Vandiperiyar and the primary health centre at Peermedu. Over 30 bodies were remaining at the spot. Only three bodies had been identified at the time of filing the report in the wee hours of Saturday. Those identified are Ambaresh, 52, (Tirupur), Koru Kutty, 60,(Malappuram) and Suresh, 19, (Mysore). A majority of the deceased are from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as Pulmedu can be reached easily via Kumily that borders Tamil Nadu.
The stampede was triggered by a freak accident at Pulmedu, said K Sanjay Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Pathanamthitta. It is said the the stampede was triggered by the collision of two jeeps.
Thousands of Ayyappa devotees had thronged the spot to have a view of ‘Makarajyothi’ and many were caught in the ensuing melee.
Traditionally, Pulmedu is a preferred route of devotees as it offered a clearer view of Makarajyothi than Pamba and many points at Sannidhanam.
The gravity of the accident increased manifold as the poor connectivity to the spot hindered the rescue operations. Police sources said they found it tough to take the injured to hospitals as traffic snarl-ups delayed the movement of ambulances.
“All arrangements to provide medical care to the injured have been made. All government and private hospitals in the area were alerted to be vigilant and all doctors in the area have been requested to be on duty,’’ Idukki District Collector Ashok Kumar Singh told Express on his way to the accident spot.
The accident spot is 80 km from Painavu, the district headquarters.
DGP Jacob Punnoose and Director of Health Services M K Jeevan were among the senior officials who had rushed to Pulmedu for coordinating rescue operations.
The Travancore Devaswom Board has said that it would bear the cost of treatment of the injured and the cost to transport the bodies of pilgrims to their native places.
President Prathibha patil expressed shock and grief at the tragedy and offered her condolences.
Defence Minister A K Antony described the incident as a ‘national calamity.’ Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan who cancelled all his official engagements is expected to reach Vandiperiyar on saturday morning.
Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy cut short his ‘Kerala Mochana Yatra’ and rushed to the accident spot.