A mini-bus carrying pilgrims crashed into a stationary truck killing at least 13 people and critically injuring four others in Byadagi Taluk of Karnataka's Haveri district on early Friday.
The victims in the bus were from Shivamogga and were returning from Savadatti in Belagavi district after a pilgrimage to pay obeisance to Goddess Yallamma.
The police further informed that the bus was carrying a total of 17 persons and out of them eleven people died on the spot while two others were declared dead at a hospital.
The officer added, "Among the four injured, two are admitted in the ICU of the hospital."
According to police, the accident occurred around 3.45 am when the van collided with a lorry which was parked on the side of National Highway 48 in Byadagi in Haveri district.
Police have confirmed that the injured individuals have been admitted to a hospital, where they are reported to be in serious condition.
According to authorities, preliminary investigations suggest that the accident occurred due to the bus driver falling asleep while driving.
Anshu Kumar Srivastava, Superintendent of Police (Haveri) told PTI, "The victims were coming from Chincholi Mayamma Devasthana and heading to their native Yemehatti village in Shivamogga district. The lorry was standing on the side of the highway. The tempo traveller hit the lorry from behind."
The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary and the injured have been admitted to Haveri Government Hospital, he said.
Karnataka Accident: Death Toll Reaches 13
Police reported that due to the force of the collision, the bodies of the deceased were trapped in the severely damaged wreckage of the van, presenting a challenging task for fire brigade and police personnel who worked to extract them.
According to police, the deceased individuals have been identified as Nagesh, Vishalakshi, Adarsh, Arpita, Parashuram, Bhagya, Punya, Manasa, Roopa, Subhadra Bai, Manjula Bai, and Manjula.
The identity of one of the victims ceased is yet to be ascertained, police said.
Police further said Nagesh (50), Vishalakshi (40), Adarsh (23) and Arpita (18) were from the same family.
It is also learnt that Nagesh was behind the wheel.
According to PTI, a family member of Nagesh reportedly said, "Nagesh had purchased a new van (tempo traveller) and had decided to pay his obeisance with his parents and relatives to Tulja Bhavani in Maharashtra, Renuka Yallamma in Savadatti and Mariyamma in Chincholi in Belagavi."
A case is being registered in connection with the incident, police said, adding further investigation is underway.
