By IANS,
Irikkur (Kerala) : Thousands of people broke down Friday as they paid homage to nine children run over by a speeding van as they were returning home from school.
The nine, students of the Irikkur Sree Narayana Primary School at Irikkur, 50 km from Kannur, were returning from school when a van ploughed into them, killing eight at the spot while a girl breathed her last at a hospital.
The dead include eight girls and a boy. More than a dozen were injured and are admitted in various hospitals.
Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan, Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy and other ministers visited the school placed wreaths on their bodies that were kept for the public homage.
Achuthanandan later announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs.500,000 each to the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 plus free treatment to the injured.