Haveri, Jul 1 (DHNS): Nine persons were killed and more than 25 were injured when a mini bus in which they were travelling rammed into a tree near Karjagi village in the taluk on Thursday evening.

The deceased are Durgappa Fakkirappa Koravar of Karjagi, Gangavva Ramanna Mannur of Naganur, Suresh Joshi, Veeranagouda Shivanagouda Patil, Rekha Medleri of Karjagi, Lakshman Hombaradi of Kanavalli, Channamma Puttappanavar of Katenahalli and Gadigeppa Malagi of Hosahalasur. The details of another deceased were not known.

The mini bus was on its way from Karjagi to Haveri. The driver lost control of the vehicle as the axle broke off.

One person was killed on the spot, three died on the way to the hospital and one person died at the district hospital in Haveri. A total of 16 injured were admitted to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubli, of whom four persons breathed their last there.

The condition of five persons at KIMS is said to be critical. The other injured are being treated at the district hospital in Haveri.

Police rushed to the spot and removed the bodies from the mangled remains of the mini bus. A case has been registered at the Haveri Rural police station.