Chikkaballapur, 31 May

Five people, including an auto-rickshaw driver, were killed and five women injured after an SUV allegedly hit an auto-rickshaw from behind, forcing it into a stationary lorry on the Bengaluru–Hyderabad National Highway near Sunkalamma Temple at Bagepalli on Sunday afternoon.

The accident occurred around 3pm. The deceased were identified as auto driver Anjinappa, 35; and passengers Umadevi, 55; Vijaya, 40; Lakshmamma, 50; and Sarojamma, 65.

All four women were agricultural labourers from Bagepalli town, said Chikkaballapur Superintendent of Police Kushal Chousky.

Nine women labourers and the driver were travelling in the auto at the time. The injured—identified as Gangadevi, Lakshmidevi, Rathnamma, Arunamma and Rajamma—were admitted to a hospital in Chikkaballapur and are undergoing treatment.

According to police, the victims were returning home after work at a nearby farm. As the auto approached Bagepalli, the SUV travelling towards Hyderabad allegedly crashed into it from behind.

The impact pushed the auto into a parked lorry, trapping it between the two vehicles. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.