Nine women plantation workers killed as jeep plunges into a 30 feet gorge in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: In a tragic incident, nine women plantation workers were killed after the jeep in which they were returning home after day’s work overturned and plunged into a 30 feet deep gorge in Mananthavady in Wayanad district of Kerala on Friday evening.

Five persons including the driver sustained serious injuries. Three of them are in a critical condition.

The tragic incident took place at 4.30 pm when the jeep carrying the tea plantation workers hailing from Pakkimala lost control after hitting a culvert on the hairpin road at Kannothmala. The vehicle plunged into the rocky gorge killing many on the spot.

The local residents along with panchayat workers carried out a rescue operation at the accident site. The victims were pulled out from the gorge using ropes and brought to the main road. Many were declared dead at the local hospital.

Forest Minister A K Saseendran has rushed to the accident site.