Four people are feared dead and 18 others injured, seven of them seriously, when the van they were travelling in fell into a gorge at Vellikulam near Wagamon on Tuesday morning.
The troupe of percussionists of the PKR Art Group in Muhamma was returning after participating in the Sivarathri celebrations at Siva temple at Pasuppara when the accident occurred. According to preliminary reports, the vehicle might have lost control and fell into the gorge nearly 200 metres deep. The van has been completely destroyed.
One of the seven persons, who were brought to Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital, has been declared dead. According to police, three bodies were brought to the hospital. Rescue operations commenced immediately and the victims were taken to hospitals at Erattupetta, Pala and other nearby places.
