Turumunga: As many as three Kanwariyas (Bol Bom devotees) were killed and three others sustained grievous injuries after a container truck rammed into an auto-rickshaw in which they were travelling near Khireitangiri toll gate on NH-49 under Turumunga police limits in Keonjhar, today evening.

The devotees were returning from a Shaivite shrine in Patana after performing Jalalagi rituals. The five belonged to Telkoi locality in the district.

According to an eyewitness, the ill-fated auto-rickshaw (bearing registration number OD-09 T-2141) was hit by the speeding truck from behind. Seven persons were travelling in the auto-rickshaw. Two persons died on the spot and one more in hospital while undergoing treatment.

The injured were rescued in critical condition by some locals and rushed to district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Keonjhar for treatment. Tension was triggered in the locality following the accident.

On being informed, Turumunga police reached the spot and launched a probe. Police have sent the bodies to the hospital for post-mortem. However, their identities have not been ascertained yet.