NEW DELHI, May 30 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and 22 injured in a head-on collision between a truck and a bus in southern Indian state of Telangana, police said Wednesday.

The collision took place in Chenjerla village near the state's Karimnagar town Tuesday night.

"The accident occurred around 9 p.m. (local time) when the speeding truck tried to overtake another vehicle and hit the bus, carrying some 30 people," a police official said.

While seven people died in the impact of the crash, those injured have been admitted to a government hospital, where the condition of some five are said to be serious, he added.

The bus was going to Warangal from Karimnagar town when the accident occurred.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has condoled the loss of lives and directed officials to provide medical assistance to the injured.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said. "A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered against the truck driver and a manhunt on to nab him," he added.

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.