Nine persons were killed and five others were critically injured when a Tata Venture carrying passengers collided with a truck at Pakho Kenchia Chowk in Punjab's Barnala district last night.
According to Television reports, six persons died on the spot while three others died on way to hospital.
All those killed belonged to Kotkapura town and were going to Patiala to offer prayers at the Kali Devi temple, reports added.
The truck driver absconded after the mishap.
Further details are awaited.