Five, Including Four Ayyappa Devotees From Andhra Pradesh, Killed in Road Accident

Ramanathapuram: Five people, including four Ayyappa devotees from Andhra Pradesh, were killed in a tragic road accident in Tamil Nadu early Saturday. The incident occurred near Keelakarai in Ramanathapuram district when a speeding car rammed into their parked vehicle.

Police said the devotees had stopped their car along the East Coast Road to rest while returning from their Sabarimala pilgrimage. A vehicle carrying local residents allegedly lost control and crashed into the parked car.

The deceased were identified as Musthaq Ahmed (30), the driver from Keezhakkara, and Andhra Pradesh natives Ramachandra Rao (55), Apparao Naidu (40), Bandaru Chandra Rao (42), and Ramar (45). All five died on the spot due to the impact.

The group had also planned to visit the Rameswaram temple and were en route when the accident occurred around 3 AM.

Seven others sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.