A tragic accident on Thursday night has left three people dead and 17 others injured, after a tempo traveller carrying pilgrims returning from the Sabarimala temple collided with a private bus near the Theni bypass. The deceased has been identified as a 10-year-old boy, Nagaraj (45) and Surya (23), all of whom were natives of Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

The accident occurred around 10 pm, when the private bus, travelling in the opposite direction, crashed head-on into the tempo traveller. The force of the collision was so intense that the front of the tempo traveller was destroyed.

Among the victims, the 10-year-old boy and two adults were seated at the front of the vehicle.

The injured, including 17 people in total, were rushed to Theni Medical College Hospital. Authorities report that five of the injured are in critical condition.