How the accident took place

There were differing versions on how the incident took place.

There were differing versions on how the incident took place.

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Sabarimala shrine spokesman Rahul Eeshwar said the tragedy occured at around 8.15 pm when two buses carrying the pilgrims collided and fell into a trench.

While Sabarimala Special Commissioner Rajendra Nair said a jeep had ploughed through the pilgrims, who were returning from 'makara samkrama pooja', using a narrow trekking path in a forest, about 7km from Sabarimala hilltop shrine.

Nair said there was a stampede after the jeep ran into the devotees. However, Eeshwar said there was no stampede but there was panic after the accident.