NEW DELHI, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and five others injured when a speeding bus ploughed into a group of pilgrims in southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu Tuesday, police said.

The accident occurred near Dharapuram in the state's Tirupur district, some 450 km from Tamil Nadu capital Chennai.

"The pilgrims were all on their way to a hill shrine in Palani on foot when the state-run bus mowed them down after its driver lost control of the speeding vehicle this morning," a police official said.

While five pilgrims, including two women, died on the spot, those injured have been admitted to a government hospital in Dharapuram where the condition of one is said to be serious, he said.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said, adding that a manhunt has also been launched to track down the driver of the bus who fled the spot leaving the vehicle behind at the accident site.

"The driver of the bus has been booked for rash and negligent driving," he said.

India has the highest number of road fatalities in the world. Road accidents occur mostly due to poor driving or badly maintained roads and vehicles.