Ranipet: Four people, including two pilgrims from Kolar district in Karnataka, lost their lives in a tragic road accident early Thursday morning. The incident occurred when a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus collided with two lorries on the Old Madras-Bangalore Road near SIPCOT in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu.

The victims have been identified as N. Somasekar, 30, and V. Krishnappa, 65, both pilgrims from Kolar, along with V. Manjunath, 32, and S. Shankara, 32, the driver and cleaner of one of the lorries that was transporting a vegetable consignment from Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.

The pilgrims were traveling back to Karnataka after visiting a temple near Chennai. The accident occurred when the KSRTC bus, carrying around 55 passengers, was heading towards Bengaluru. The driver attempted to overtake a tipper lorry but collided with an oncoming vegetable-laden truck. A tipper lorry, following closely, also struck the bus from behind. TV visuals showed severe damage to the bus.

All four deceased were killed on the spot. Around 30 others were injured in the crash and have been referred to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.