Wayanad (Keralam) | Two people were killed and several others injured when a tourist van carrying students from Mandya University in Karnataka overturned at Sultan Bathery here in the early hours of Monday, police said.

According to police, the accident occurred around 1.30 am at the 54th Mile in Sultan Bathery, when the van, carrying 15 people, including students from the university, was returning from a trip to tourist destinations in Keralam.

The deceased were identified as Ranjith and Bharath.

The driver lost control of the vehicle, which overturned.

Residents immediately launched rescue efforts but could not pull out all the passengers as the vehicle was severely damaged.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel later reached the spot, cut open the vehicle and shifted all the passengers to a nearby hospital.

Police said Ranjith was driving the vehicle.

It was yet to be confirmed whether Bharath was a student or an employee of the institution.

Three of the rescued passengers are in critical condition, police said.

An investigation into the incident is under way.