Ranchi: At least 13 pilgrims were killed in Jharkhand early Friday when the van they were travelling in was hit by a truck, police said.
The accident took place around 6 a.m. at Ichagarh in Seraikela Kharsawan district, around 130 km from Ranchi.
After offering prayers at Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha, the pilgrims were returning to their home in Bihar’s Siwan district.
Police said the truck rammed into the van which was carrying around 25 people. Thirteen people died on the spot and 12 others were injured. The condition of four of them was said to be serious.
The victims offered prayers at Baba Baidyanath Shiva temple of Deoghar and then travelled to Puri.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has expressed grief over the tragedy and directed officials to provide proper medical care to the injured.