Chennai, May 17 -- Five people were drowned while three others managed to escape when the van in which they were travelling plunged into a 50 ft deep road side well near Sathankulam in the southern Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu on Saturday evening.

Police sources said the deceased include a one-and-a-half year old infant.

In all eight people were travelling in the ill-fated van which plunged into the well after the driver lost control of the vehicle.

They were proceeding to a marriage function from Thanjavur district when the tragedy occurred.

While three people managed to escape, five others drowned in the well.

Rescue teams, including police and fire service personnel, using giant porcelain equipment, fought hard for nea...