Malappuram: Two people were killed and 10 others injured after a tempo traveller carrying pilgrims collided with a tipper lorry at Periyambalam in Kondotty, Malappuram district, in the early hours of Saturday.

The deceased have been identified as Rajesh, the driver of the traveller and a native of Vadavannur in Palakkad, and Ramani (60), a resident of Murkashamkunnu in Palakkad.

According to preliminary information, the accident occurred at around 1 am when the traveller, carrying Kottiyoor pilgrims, collided with a lorry coming from the opposite direction.

Ten people sustained injuries in the crash. Five of them are reported to be in a critical condition. All the injured were shifted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital for treatment.

Traveller carrying 27 passengers

Reports said 27 people were travelling in the tempo traveller, while three people were inside the lorry at the time of the accident.

The impact of the collision completely crushed the front portion of the traveller, indicating the severity of the crash.

Police and local residents carried out the rescue operation and shifted the injured to hospital.

The exact cause of the accident has not yet been established. Further details about the injured persons were not immediately available.