Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her condolences on the tragic accident in Wayanad, Kerala

A bus transporting Lord Ayyappa pilgrims from Sabarimala Temple crashed at Thirunelli in Wayanad, Kerala, on Tuesday morning. Congresswoman Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sent her condolences for the terrible tragedy.

“I am deeply saddened to hear about the unfortunate bus accident in Wayanad involving Sabarimala pilgrims from Karnataka,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in a poignant message on her Facebook page. During this trying time, my thoughts are with the wounded and their families. I hope everyone who is impacted recovers quickly.

The event happened as the bus, which was carrying 45 passengers—including two children—was returning to Hunsur in Mysore after a visit to the Sabarimala temple, according to the police. Around six in the morning, the accident happened.

According to the officials, 27 persons were hurt, and those who were hurt were sent right away to Mananthavady Medical College in Wayanad. The wounded travelers’ condition was deemed not critical by the authorities.

The catastrophe happened during the annual Mandala-Makaravilakku celebration, which kicked off the Sabarimala pilgrimage season on November 15.

The accident’s cause is being looked at by local authorities. Meanwhile, individuals impacted and their families have responded favorably to Priyanka Gandhi’s message of support.

The annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season began on Friday afternoon with the arrival of pilgrims to Kerala’s Sabarimala shrine.

The temple’s sanctum sanctorum was inaugurated by PN Mahesh Namboothiri, the departing Melsanthi (head priest).

At the Ayyappa temple and the Malikappuram Devi temple, the recently appointed Melsanthis S. Arun Kumar Namboothiri and Vasudevan Namboothiri will formally take up their positions.

In response to the opposition’s demand to restore spot reservations for the Sabarimala pilgrimage during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season, Kerala’s Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan notably provided clarification on the government’s decision in October.

Speaking to the legislative assembly, Vasavan clarified that in order to control the number of pilgrims and guarantee a more seamless pilgrimage experience, the state administration had chosen to use an online ticketing system.

To guarantee everyone’s safety and a better experience, the government will depend on the virtual line booking system this year. The Minister then gave his word that the infrastructure and crowd control techniques required to govern the pilgrims’ movement would be implemented.