Tree falls on schoolbus in Kerala, 5 children killed

Five school students were killed and seven injured when a tree fell on the school bus in which they were returning home on Friday evening. The incident took place at Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district of Kerala.

Police said the students belonged to Veda Vidya School, Kothamangalam. The tree fell on the middle portion of the bus, where the victims were seated.

Government announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the students who died. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government would look into the suggestion that trees posing threat to motorists along highways should be cut down.