Koppal (Karnataka) [India], October 7 : Three people were killed and four others injured after a private sleeper coach bus ran over a group of devotees participating in a padayatra near Kookanapalli village in Koppal district, police said on Monday.
The incident occurred on National Highway 50 when the devotees were walking towards the Huligemma temple in Huligi village of Koppal taluk. The deceased have been identified as Annapurna (40), Prakash (25), and Sharanappa (19), all residents of Tarihala village in Rona taluk of Gadag district.
According to police, the devotees had started their padayatra to the Huligemma temple two days ago. They were only a few hours away from reaching the shrine when the tragedy struck.
The bus, a private sleeper coach, was reportedly travelling from Sindhogi to Bengaluru at the time of the accident.
Four others sustained injuries in the incident and were immediately shifted to the Koppal District Hospital for treatment. One person narrowly escaped death, officials added.
Superintendent of Police Dr. Ram Arasiddi visited the scene of the incident and inspected the site.
"A case has been registered under the jurisdiction of the Munirabad Police Station," officials said.
Further investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the accident.