Stampede at Sabarimala Shrine Kills 46 Pilgrims

Over 40 pilgrims are feared dead and several others injured in a stampede that followed twin accidents en-route Sabarimala shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa in the south Indian state of Kerala according to Asianet News, one of the largest television channels in Kerala and Manorama News which owns the largest newspaper in Kerala.

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Sabarimala is one of the holiest shrines in Kerala perched atop a hill. Hundreds of thousands of people throng the hill shrine for a view of Makara Darshan (divine light) which is part of the main event Makara Samakrama Puja on the most auspicious day Makkar Sakranti which marks the culmination of the two-month long festival that is celebrated at the Ayyappa temple every year.

In one accident, a bus carrying devotees returning after the Darshan of Markara Jyoti overturned in the forest tracts some 30 kilometers away from Sabarimala temple resulting in death of over 40 people and injuring several others. This is not a regular route to the shrine.

The other incident involved a jeep in Vandi Periyar in Idukki district carrying devotees which ploughed through pilgrims returning after the Makkar Darshan killing one and injuring many more which resulted in a stampede. About 150,000 pilgrims are believed to have visited the Sabarimala temple since this morning according to official sources. Over 30 million people are reported to have visited the shrine in the pilgrim season during the last two months.

The Home Minister of Kerala, Bala Krishnan, told Times Now television channel over the phone that more than 40 people are reported dead in a stampede. According to him, the dead bodies are being removed and the injured are being rushed to nearby hospitals. The District Collector, Director General of Police, the Finance Ministerof Kerala and the Home Secretary of Kerala among those who are rushing to the site of the accident. Rescue operations are being carried out by fire service and police personnel and the local people.

On January 5, 2011 there was a minor stampede. Earlier there was a stampede following a landslide which resulted in the death of 63 people several years ago. This is the highest death toll resulting from stampedes so far.

According to latest reports, 46 dead bodies are reported to have been recovered so far.

Unofficial sources put today’s death toll at 75 and the number of injured are believed to be about 90. If this is true, this might well be the worst stampede as the Sabarimala festival and also the highest death toll to be recorded in stampedes at the festival so far.