Furteen people were killed and 20 others injured when a pick-up vehicle overturned and fell into a deep valley in Madhya Pradesh's Dindori district in the wee hours of Thursday, a police official said.

The accident took place near Badjhar Ghat at around 1.30am when the vehicle's driver lost control over the wheels while negotiating a blind turn. The vehicle then fell into a 40-50 feet deep valley. Fourteen people died on the spot while 20 others were injured, the official said. The deceased included seven men, six women and a minor boy, as per the police.

“The victims were returning to Amhai Devri from Masurghugri village in the district's Shahpura block after taking part in a programme,” Sub Divisional Officer of Police Mukesh Avindra said.

After being alerted, Dindori Collector Vikas Mishra and Superintendent of Police Akhil Patel rushed to help the victims. The injured persons were admitted to the Shahpura Community Health Centre for treatment.

Six of them were reported to be in serious condition, an official said, adding that two of them were referred to Jabalpur for treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. "The road accident in Dindori, Madhya Pradesh is very sad. My condolences are with the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery to all the injured persons. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is engaged in providing all possible assistance to the victims," the Prime Minister's Office said in a post on X.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased. Yadav directed state cabinet minister Sampatiya Uikey to rush to Dindori for the relief work.