Thiruvananthapuram: Five people were killed in Kerala when the car in which they travelled rammed into a bus carrying Sabarimala pilgrims, at Perumbavur in the outskirts of Kochi early on Thursday morning.
The deceased were all from Elappara in Idukki district, who were on their way to the Kochi airport.
In all there were seven passengers in the car, one of whom, Jibin, was going to the Middle East. The others had accompanied him to the airport.
The deceased were identified as Jerin, Vijayan and Jinish, all aged 22, and Unni and Kiran, both aged 21.
The two others, Jibin and Sujith, were admitted to hospital with serious injuries. The incident happened around 2.30am on Thursday, and the rains hampered rescue work. Fire and rescue personnel, and passengers in other vehicles helped with the rescue.
The Sabarimala pilgrims were on their way from Andhra Pradesh to the hill shrine in Pathanamthitta district.
Reports said the mishap occurred while the car was attempting to overtake a timber-laden truck.
Road accidents claim nearly 4,000 lives every year in Kerala, and the ongoing monsoon rains have made road conditions more difficult for motorists.
