Thrissur: Around 15 people, including Sabarimala pilgrims, were injured after a mini bus rammed into a Taurus lorry at Mammiyoor here. The accident occurred around 1.45 am on Tuesday.

The mini bus was carrying Sabarimala pilgrims from Karnataka. As per reports, the pilgrims met with the accident while heading to Sabarimala after paying obeisance at the Guruvayur temple.

The injured were rushed to Hayath Hospital with the help of the Chavakkad Total Care Ambulance, Guruvayur ACTS volunteers, and 108 ambulance services. The lorry driver, Shakir of Muthuthala, Palakkad, who was trapped inside the vehicle, sought treatment at Raja Hospital. Others injured are undergoing treatment at various nearby hospitals.

Local residents said the accident was caused by the bus driver's negligence. Guruvayur Fire Force, Guruvayur Temple Police, and Guruvayur Police led the rescue operations.

The compound wall and gate of the house owned by Sulaikha were damaged as the bus lost control and rammed into it. An electricity post by the roadside also collapsed. Four shops — Vasantham Lucky Centre owned by Ramesh of Iringappuram, Chiriankandath Grocery Store owned by Johnny, Neelamkavil Stores owned by Shajan, and the front portion of Ambadi Hotel owned by Sudhakaran — were partially damaged.

Shajan said that each shop suffered heavy financial losses due to the accident. Guruvayur ACP C Premanandakrishnan visited the accident site to take stock of the situation.