Bengaluru | Seven people were killed in a multi-vehicle pile-up on the outskirts of Hoskote near Bengaluru early on Friday, police said.

The accident occurred near M Satyavara village on the Hoskote–Dabaspete National Highway at around 4.30 am when an SUV car travelling from Hoskote towards Devanahalli allegedly struck a motorcycle from behind.

According to police, the driver of the SUV allegedly lost control after the initial impact and crashed into a canter vehicle. Another car was also drawn into the wreckage, resulting in a severe pile-up.

Six occupants of the SUV car and the motorcycle rider died on the spot, police said.

The impact of the accident flung the two-wheeler rider off the vehicle, and he hit the metal side crash barrier with extreme force, leading to his death.

The deceased are said to be residents of Kothanur in Bengaluru and were travelling from Kolar toward Devanahalli.

Officials suspect overspeeding as the primary cause of the accident.

Inspector General Labhu Ram, who visited the spot, said that the crash occurred in the early hours and initial findings indicate that the SUV first hit the two-wheeler, killing the rider instantly.

The deceased motorcycle rider has been identified as Gagan, a resident of Devanahalli, police said.

Two car occupants have been identified as Ashwin and Karan Ali, residents of Bengaluru, while the identities of the remaining victims are being verified.

The bodies have been shifted to the Hoskote Government Hospital for post-mortem examination, police said.

A case was registered, and an investigation is underway, they added.