Police in Krishnagiri said the dead included three women, identified as Baghyalakshmi, Suguna and Sudha Rani. While six were killed instantly, Sudha Rani died in Krishnagiri Government Hospital. Jayarama Reddy (46), Prithvi (18), Arun Kumar (24) and Prakash (37) were among the dead.
The victims, all from Kodihalli in Bangalore, had apparently gone on a pilgrimage to the famous Roman Catholic shrine at Velankanni near Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, to pray on the occasion of Christmas and the tsunami anniversary the next day.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh each for the next of the kin of the dead.
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