PETALING JAYA: Twelve Malaysians have been severely injured after a road accident in Chennai, according to a report.

Local news portal DTNext reported that the van fell around 100 feet into the Kodaikanal Gorge after returning from a trip to the Palani Temple in Tamil Nadu.

The accident occurred on Sunday (Sept 14) where the driver reportedly lost control of the van before it veered off the road.

It then plunged nearly 100 feet into a gorge there. 

"Eyewitnesses said the passengers cried out for help as the van tumbled down before crashing into a tree, which stopped it from falling further. Locals rushed to the spot, climbed into the gorge, and rescued those trapped inside the mangled vehicle.

"All 12 Malaysian tourists sustained serious injuries in the accident. They were immediately shifted to the government hospital in Kodaikanal for treatment," the report said.