Eleven Sabarimala pilgrims injured in Kerala

Eleven Sabarimala pilgrims were injured after a tree fell down due to strong winds in the wee hours of Tuesday when they were passing through the Marakootam-Chandranandana route.

Sabarimala(Kerala): Eleven Sabarimala pilgrims suffered injuries and six of them seriously, early on Tuesday when a tree fell on them as they were passing through the Marakootam-Chandranandana route.

The incident occurred around 2 am this morning, according to police.

It is yet to be known that whether the pilgrims were returning after the darshan or going for it. The tree fell due to strong winds in the area. Following the incident, electric and telephone cables got snapped.

According to reports, with help from the emergency operations team, NDRF, the branches were removed and the injured were rushed to Pamba hospital.

At least six people have been referred to Kottayam Medical college hospital, police said.

Meanwhile, the Sabarimala shrine, where the annual mandalam-makaravilakku pilgrimage is underway, is witnessing heavy rush for the last one week.

Besides the devotees from Kerala, a large number of pilgrims from neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are flocking to the shrine to offer prayers.