Eight persons were killed after a tourist bus plunged off the ninth hairpin bend along the Coonoor to Mettupalayam road near Marapallam on late Saturday evening.
Five among the deceased persons were identifed as V. Nithin, 15, S. Babykala, 36, S.Murugesan, 65, P. Muppidathy, 67, R. Kowsalya, 29.
Police sources said the accident occurred when the bus containing 55 tourists from Tenkasi was returning from Udhagamandam.
Two more persons were said to be in a serious condition and were undergoing treatment, the officials added.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced a solatium of ₹2 lakh each to the family of the deceased persons. He also announced ₹1 lakh each for those who sustained severe injuries and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries.
