Among the dead were three women and a relief worker who collapsed and died at the scene of the tragedy. About 10 people are reported to be missing.
The accident occured when the bus running in the Kottayam-Kumarakom route reportedly gave way to a jeep coming from the opposite direction around 2.30 pm.
Submerged
Even though survivors said that the bus was not running at high speed, it lost control, hit an electricity pole and fell into the river turning turtle several times. Local people who rushed in saw that the bus was submerged as it was one of the deepest points of the river.
Those who escaped said they managed to swim out through the door and get on top of the bus when some of them got electric shocks from the line which snapped and fell into the water.
Local people rescued about 20 people, many of whom have been admitted to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital. Naval divers, fireforce personnel and police were also at the scene and the bus was being lifted from the water with the help of cranes.
Many of the passengers were students of SN College Kumarakom and those who were proceeding to a local temple.
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