Amaravati: Six women were killed and six others injured after a speeding tipper rammed into their auto at Modekurru in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours today.

The accident occurred when the women from Allavaram village were going to Lord Venkateswara Temple at Vadapalli, the police said.

Five of the auto passengers were killed on the spot, while another died on way to the hospital.

One of the injured was later shifted to a government hospital in Kakinada.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the accident and ordered a detailed inquiry into it. He directed the officials to submit a report to him on the accident.

Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa rushed to the accident site at Modekurru and later to the hospital to inquire after the health of the injured.

State Health Minister K Srinivas also spoke to district health officials in East Godavari.

Police took the tipper driver into custody and launched an investigation.