Three labourers were killed and five others including the driver were severely injured when the van they were travelling in overturned following a tyre burst on the national highway near Vadisaleru village in East Godavari district in the early hours of Tuesday.

The age of the three deceased were below 30 years, said the police.

The incident occurred when the eight labourers were returning from Guntur district, where they had gone for agricultural work. 

“The rear tyre of the van reportedly burst, causing the vehicle to overturn on the highway. The condition of one of the five injured is said to be critical,” said Rangampeta Sub-Inspector S. Siva Prasad. The injured are being treated in the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Rajamahendravaram city. 

Post-mortem of the three has been completed. The police registered a case and investigation is on.