A bus carrying Ayyappa devotees from the Old City of Hyderabad met with a tragic accident near Kanmala Attivalam in Kottayam, Kerala, on Wednesday. The vehicle, en route to the revered Sabarimala temple, lost control and veered off the ghat road. While a major disaster was averted by trees that stopped the bus from plunging further, the driver, Raju, who hailed from Saidabad, tragically lost his life. Thirty passengers sustained injuries, with eight suffering severe wounds and 22 escaping with minor injuries.

The accident occurred approximately 15 kilometers from the Pamba River, a key landmark on the route to Sabarimala. Survivors from Madannapet in Hyderabad, who were on a pilgrimage, credited the trees for preventing a catastrophe. Despite the bus overturning, the prompt action of locals ensured that the injured were rushed to Kottayam Medical College Hospital. The incident highlights the perils of navigating steep ghat roads during long journeys.

This unfortunate incident has left the local community in Hyderabad in mourning. Devotees embarking on the pilgrimage are urged to ensure the safety and condition of their vehicles before traveling on such challenging terrains. Authorities have been urged to install additional safety measures along these routes to prevent similar accidents in the future.