IDUKKI: Eight people were killed after a vechlcle carrying pilgrims from Andipetty in Theni district of Tamil Nadu fell into a gorge on the Kumali-Kambam road in Idukki. The incident happened last night around eleven o'clock. Ten people including a child were in the vehicle.

The vehicle went out of control and fell down from the bridge on the Kottarakkara Dindigul National Highway. The car fell on top of one of the penstocks carrying water from Mullaperiyar to Tamil Nadu. Seven-year-old Hariharan, who went out of the vehicle as it hit the bridge, escaped unhurt. The child was taken to the hospital in Kumali in another vehicle that passed by. Then the Kumali police and locals reached the spot and started rescue operations. Tamil Nadu Police and Fire Force participated in the rescue operation.

Seven people who were seriously injured died on the spot. The dead bodies will be handed over to the relatives after post-mortem at Theni Medical College.