Five women pilgrims killed in Maharashtra road accident

Five women were killed on Saturday when vehicle rammed into a truck in Maharashtra district.

Solapur: At least five women were killed on Saturday and another 11 persons injured when their vehicle rammed into a truck in this Maharashtra district, an official said.

The accident occurred around 11.45 a.m. on the Jeur-Shelgaon road near Karmala when the victims were returning after a pilgrimage to the temple town of Pandharpur, said police official Shahir Ghuge.

The vehicle carrying the pilgrims was thrown off the road when an oncoming truck rammed into it.

Five women died on the spot, Ghuge said.

While five of the injured have been taken to a hospital in Karmala, six others, whose condition is serious, have been rushed to Solapur for treatment.

They were among several lakhs of pilgrims who arrive here each year for the annual Pandharpur Yatra or 'Waari'.

The pilgrimage started on June 27 and will culminate with celebrations on July 15, the Ashadi Ekadasi.