Eight schoolchildren were killed in Kerala Thursday when a van ploughed into them as they were returning home from school.

They were all aged between five and nine years.

The students belonged to the Irikkur Sree Narayana Primary School at Irikkur, 50 km from Kannaur.

While the eight died instantly, at least 15 others were injured. A few of them are in serious condition.

People in the area apprehend the driver and handed him over to the police.