Pathanamthitta, Kerala: Two people were killed and six others injured when a car and a minivan carrying Sabarimala pilgrims collided near Ranni on Thursday.

The accident happened around 12 noon on the Punalur–Muvattupuzha state highway. The car was carrying pilgrims from Karnataka who were returning home after offering prayers at the Sabarimala temple, while the minivan was transporting pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who were travelling towards Sabarimala.

Police said the car rammed into the oncoming minivan, killing two occupants of the car on the spot. Six pilgrims travelling in the minivan sustained injuries in the collision.

Of the injured, two were shifted to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital for further treatment, while the remaining four were admitted to the Ranni Taluk Hospital.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident may have occurred after the driver dozed off at the wheel. Following the crash, traffic on the Punalur–Muvattupuzha highway was disrupted for nearly an hour before normal movement was restored.