Pune, Apr 20 (ANI): At least 19 people were killed and more than 15 others were injured in a road accident that took place around 40 kilometres off Pune on Monday.

Among those killed in the accident, six were women and eight were children.

The mishap occurred when the truck laden with iron rods lost control and turned topsy-turvy at Yavat on Pune-Sholapur Highway.

The injured were rushed to a hospital near Yavat for treatment.

These victims had boarded the Karnataka-bound truck on the highway.

"I was going to attend a wedding. On the way, I got off the truck to have my food. Soon, I saw the truck that had gone ahead overturn," said Rajya, a woman who had taken a hitch-hike ride in the ill-fated truck.

According to the police, the truck driver has been absconding.

"When the truck went off the road, it got stuck in the side of the road which is loose soil and got overturned. Till now, 19 have been killed and another 15 injured," said Ashok Murali, Superintendent Police, Pune.

Police said that the injured were out of the critical condition. (ANI)