At least eight people who were returning from Sabarimala were killed after the vehicle they were travelling in plunged into a gorge in Theni of Tamil Nadu, a senior district official said on Saturday.

The accident occurred late on Friday, district collector K V Muralidharan said.

Two injured persons have been admitted to a hospital in Theni.

The mishap is suspected to have taken place after the driver lost control of the vehicle while maneuvering a bend in the hilly route.

While seven people died on the spot, one succumbed to injuries en route to the hospital, official added.

The deceased included a minor boy and they were residents of Andipatti in the district. They were returning from Sabarimala.