Twelve pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh died early on Tuesday when their bus fell into a 50-ft-deep rubber plantation off Erumeli while negotiating a sharp curve on the way to Sabarimala.

Around 30 pilgrims were admitted to hospital with serious injuries. The bodies have been taken to Vijayawada.

The pilgrims were from near Rajahmundry in West Godavari district.