As many as five persons died and four were injured after a vehicle in which they were travelling overturned near Piligundi village on the Sirwar-Deodurg main road in Deodurg taluk of Raichur district on Saturday evening.
The dead were identified as Ayyappa (35), Mallayya (28), both from Raichur, Muthanna (28) of Janisabandoddi, Panduranga (16) of Hemanur and Basavaraj (45) of Piligundi.
The injured have been referred to Raichur after treatment at the Primary Health Centre at Arkera village.
Panduranga, Basavaraj and Muthanna died on the spot while Ayyappa died on the way to hospital in Raichur and Mallayya died at the Primary Health Centre at Arkera village.
The incident occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle near a curve, the police said.
The vehicle was packed with passengers as many were returning from the weekly market at Sirwar.
Additional Superintendent of Police S.B. Patil, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Lingsugur S. Subedar, Circle Inspector of Police Doulath Kuri, Sub-Inspector of Police attached to Deodurg Police Station Lokesh and others visited the spot.
The police have launched a search for driver who is absconding.
A case was registered in the Deodurg Police Station.