Twenty one pilgrims including six children were killed when the vehicle carrying them fell from a bridge into a river in southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh early today, Indian media report quoting local police.

The victims include nine women, six men and as many children, the reports said, adding a young boy survived the accident.

Citing preliminary information, a police official was quoted by PTI as saying that "a group of people were returning from Tirupati after visiting the temple, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The vehicle driver appeared to have lost control and hit a wall of the bridge and fell into Godavari River."