Rajamundry, Nov 1 (TIWN) Seven members of a marriage party died when a goods carrier auto- rickshaw carrying 16 passengers rolled down from a hilltop outside a temple at Thantikonda village of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, police officials said on Friday.

Nearly 10 other people suffered injuries in the accident.

“The auto-rickshaw carrying around 16 passengers, was returning from a wedding function when it rolled down at around 2.30 a.m. on Friday. Seven persons died in the accident,” Shemushi Bajpai, Rajamundry Urban Superintendent of Police (SP), told IANS.

The deceased have been identified as Yalla Sridevi, 35 and Yalla Naga Sri Laxmi, 10, from Divancheruvu, Kambala Bhanu, 35, (Gokavaram), Chaganti Hemali Srilatha, 18, (Gadarada), Simhadri Prasad, 25, (Takurpalem), Pachikuri Narasimha Dora, 35, (Gangampalem) and S. Gopala Krishna, 65, (Chebrolu).

Bajpai said the accident took place because of the negligence of Dora, the auto-rickshaw driver.

The auto rolled down the steps leading to the hill temple.