Idukki: Eight Sabarimala pilgrims died and two others were injured as their vehicle fell into a gorge near Kumily here.
The accident happened on the Thekkady-Kambam National Highway at around 10.30 at night on Friday.
They were a team of 10 pilgrims, including a child. The injured are shifted to a private hospital in Kumily. One of the injured is in a critical condition.
The pilgrims from Theni in Tamil Nadu were returning home after darshan at the temple.

It is learnt that seven of them died on the spot. The remains were shifted to the Medical College Hospital, Theni.
Heavy mist is believed to have caused the accident. Fire force and police of Kerala and Tamil Nadu rushed to the spot along with natives to rescue the victims.
Their MPV fell on to penstock pipes.