Kothamangalam tragedy: Children laid to rest

KOCHI: Kothamangalam and its surroundings witnessed a pall of gloom on Saturday as the people bid farewell to the children of Vidya Vikas School who have lost their lives in a gruesome accident on Friday.

People from all walks of life reached the homes and tried to console the bereaved families.

Emotional scenes witnessed as several school children cried aloud as they saw the bodies of their friends with elders trying in vain to console them.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who arrived from Delhi to Kochi on Saturday evening proceeded straight to Kothamangalam to console the family members of the children who have died in the accident.

The bodies of the children were not placed in the school premise as parents of the victims decided against it. The bodies of all children, except Gauri of Punnaykkal House in Nellimattom, were laid to rest on Saturday.

The body if Gauri is being kept in a morgue as they are awaiting the arrival of her grandparents from UK, family sources said.

Her grandparents are expected on Sunday and after that the body of the 10-year-old will be cremated within the premise of the house.

Catholicos Baselious Thomas I led the prayers for the last rite of Eza Sarah Eldo 11 before her body was laid to rest at the St. John’s Jacobite Syrian Church in Kavalangad.

Eza Sarah belonged to Chottayatah House in Kozhipally. The body of Amin Jabir, 8 of Karottukuzhy Hose was laid to rest at the Pulikkunneppady Juma Masjid.

The body of 5-year old Krishnendu of Alangamolel House at Injoor was cremated with the premise of his house. Water Resources minister P.J. Joseph visited the house and consoled the family members.

The body of Johan Juggy of Mathenmodel House in Kuthukuzhi was laid to rest at the St. George Church at Maramangalam.