Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi have expressed deep shock and sent their condolences to the families of those killed in the Sabarimala stampede. The PM has sanctioned an ex-gratia of Rs. 1 lakh for the families of each of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those injured. President Pratibha Patil also condoled the death of Sabarimala pilgrims. In a letter to the Kerala Chief Minister and Governor, she expressed grief over the tragedy. Patil wished a speedy recovery to all those injured in the incident. Over 100 pilgrims returning from the shrine were killed and as many others were injured. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has also announced Rs. 1 lakh for the families of stampede victims hailing from his state, Rs. 20,000 for injured.
At least 70 pilgrims returning from Sabarimala Ayappa temple died when a bus ploughed through devotees in a forest at Upputhara near Pampa on Friday night, the last day of the three-month-long pilgrim season. The police said at least 120 other pilgrims were injured in the accident and they were being rushed to hospitals. The presence of wild elephants near the accident spot made the rescue operation more difficult. State home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said bodies of 45 pilgrims were removed from the accident site. District administration sources said the toll could go up. The tragedy occurred when a bus carrying some pilgrims waded into a crowd of devotees, who were returning from ‘ makara samkrama pooja’ , through a narrow trekking path in a forest, about 200km from the state capital, district administration sources said. “ When the bus turned turtle, it triggered the stampede as the pilgrims ran helter skelter,” the police said. 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. 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. Nearly 10 lakh people from various states thronged at the hill shrine for the ‘ makara samkrama pooja ’, on Friday evening, marking the finale of three- month pilgrimage to the famous Lord Ayyappa temple.
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