Friday, January 14, 2011

100 die as accident sets off stampede in Sabarimala
Ramesh Babu, Hindustan Times
Vandiperiyar, January 14, 2011
First Published: 23:42 IST(14/1/2011)
Last Updated: 03:03 IST(15/1/2011)
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At least 106 pilgrims were feared dead as a bus returning from hill shrine Sabarimala ran over pilgrims in Peerumedu (Idukki district),35 kms away from the Sabarimala shrine, before plunging into a gorge. According to initial reports a bus carrying pilgrims from Karnataka hit a jeep and lost
control and ran over resting pilgrims in Uppupara (around 200 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram) before plunging into a gorge.  The accident triggered a stampede as pilgrims ran helter skelter and many lost their lives in the mad rush. The incident took place around 9 pm.
Defence minister AK Antony directed army to help relief operation.
 Centre has declared the tragedy as national emergency.
Incident took place in dense forests of Western Ghats. Most of the injured are in critical condition. The nearest medical college Kottayam is at least 100 kms away from the spot.
The State Government has directed the Director General of Police to rush to the area. Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan has constituted a high-level team to oversee rescue and relief operations.
"It is a major tragedy. I am rushing to the spot. Since the tragedy took place in deep forests rescue operation is very difficult," said the State Temple Affairs Minister K Ramachandran.
Being makara sankranty day, the most auspicious day during the 90-day seasonal pilgrimage, the hill shrine witnessed an unprecedented rush on Friday. More than 4 corore pilgrims visit the temple during the season starting from November to January.
Most of the pilgrims involved in the tragedy were from Tamil Nadu who were returning to their homes to celebrate Pongal after having a darshan of the deity at the hill shrine.
The accident spot was identified at about 35 km away from Sabarimala.
As per initial estimates, nearly 1.5 lakh pilgrims had left by this route for home.
Relief operations have been delayed due to heavy traffic and narrow roads in the area.
This is not the first time tragedy struck the hill shrine, known for its communal harmony (all religions are welcome here). On January 14, 1999, 53 persons died in Pampa, the base camp of the hill shrine, in a stampede. One of the richest temples of the country, after Kumbh Mela it is second largest seasonal pilgrim centres of the country.
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