<p>At least eight tourists, including three women and a teenager, died on Saturday evening when the bus in which they were travelling fell into a gorge while returning to Mettupalayam from Ooty in Nilgiris district. </p> <p>The tourist bus was on its way to Tenkasi from where the deceased hailed, police sources said. “The bus fell into a gorge near Parliyaru in Coonoor in the Nilgiris district,” a senior police officer said. </p> <p>Among the deceased, six were identified as Mupudathi, Murugesan, Ilango, Devikala, Kousalya, and Nithin, while the identity of other two is being ascertained. At least a dozen people have been rushed to various hospitals to be treated for their injuries.</p> <p>Chief Minister M K Stalin and Governor R N Ravi extended their condolences to the deceased. Stalin announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the dead and deputed Tourism Minister K Ramachandran to oversee the relief activities.</p>
<p>At least eight tourists, including three women and a teenager, died on Saturday evening when the bus in which they were travelling fell into a gorge while returning to Mettupalayam from Ooty in Nilgiris district. </p> <p>The tourist bus was on its way to Tenkasi from where the deceased hailed, police sources said. “The bus fell into a gorge near Parliyaru in Coonoor in the Nilgiris district,” a senior police officer said. </p> <p>Among the deceased, six were identified as Mupudathi, Murugesan, Ilango, Devikala, Kousalya, and Nithin, while the identity of other two is being ascertained. At least a dozen people have been rushed to various hospitals to be treated for their injuries.</p> <p>Chief Minister M K Stalin and Governor R N Ravi extended their condolences to the deceased. Stalin announced a solatium of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the dead and deputed Tourism Minister K Ramachandran to oversee the relief activities.</p>