Kothamangalam (Kerala), June 26 (IANS): Tragedy struck on Friday evening when a huge tree fell on a private school bus killing five school kids and injuring ten other people.

The victims, all from junior classes, included two girls.

A school teacher told media persons that two trees on either side of the road to Munnar fell onto the road and one of them came crashing down on the school bus.

"Since it was the last trip from the school, there were only 15 children on board ... the fire department officials and locals had to work very hard to rescue the trapped kids," said the teacher.

"The condition of the 10 injured children, being treated in two private hospitals, is reported to be stable," said Kothamangalam legislator T.U. Kuruvilla.

However, the condition of the conductor of the school bus was reportedly serious.

Kuruvilla said strong winds in the area brought down a "dead tree" onto the school bus.

Road traffic to the Munnar hill station was disrupted following the incident.