Twelve members of a family, including three minors, were killed and two others seriously injured when their van collided with an SUV in Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh in the early hours of Tuesday, a police official said.
The deceased also included four women, he said.
The accident took place around 12.30 am in Ramgarh area when the victims, all residents of Ujjain, were returning home after attending a marriage function in Nagda city, Bherugarh police station in-charge Jai C Ram Barde said.
Their vehicle collided head-on with a speeding sports utility vehicle (SUV), killing 12 passengers of the van on the spot, he said. The two injured persons were referred to Indore for treatment, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident.
The road accident in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain district is unfortunate.
My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their loved ones: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 29, 2019
Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot also condoled the deaths in the incident.
“Very sad to know about the road accident in #Ujjain, #MadhyaPradesh which has claimed lives of 12 people. My deepest sympathies with the family members of the deceased. I wish speedy recovery to the injured,” Gehlot tweeted.
(With PTI inputs)