Ranchi, Aug 14: A minimum of 13 pilgrims were killed in Jharkhand early Friday once the van they were travel in was hit by a truck, police said.

The accident happened around 6 a.m. at Ichagarh in Seraikela Kharsawan district, around 130 km from Ranchi.

After providing 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 that was carrying around twenty five people. 13 people died on the spot and twelve others were injured . The condition of 4 of them was said to be serious.

The victims offered prayers at Baba Baidyanath Shiva temple of Deoghar then traveled to Puri.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has expressed grief over the tragedy and directed officers to produce correct medical care to the injured .