Seven people were killed in a chain accident involving two cars, a canter, and a two-wheeler near Sulibele in Hosakote, about 35 km from Bengaluru, in the early hours of Friday (February 13, 2026).

A preliminary probe revealed that the two-wheeler rider and all six occupants of the XUV died on the spot.

The incident occurred around 4:40 a.m. near Satyavara village in Sulibele. A patrolling team of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) alerted the jurisdictional police after coming across the accident.

According to the police, the XUV, which was headed towards Devanahalli, first rammed the two-wheeler from behind and then crashed into the rear of the canter moving ahead of it. The impact flung the two-wheeler rider off the vehicle, and he hit the metal side crash barrier with extreme force, resulting in his death on the spot.

“The XUV appears to have been travelling at high speed; therefore, all the occupants died on the spot. They appear to be aged between 20 and 25, but their identities are yet to be established,” an officer part of the investigations told The Hindu.

The force of the collision was such that two of the rear wheels of the canter were ripped off. Police said another car, an SUV that was travelling behind the XUV, also crashed into it from the rear, though its two occupants escaped unhurt.

So far, police have identified the two-wheeler rider as Gagan, in his 20s, and one of the occupants of the car as Ashwin Nair (17), a resident of Kothanur. The identities of the other deceased are yet to be ascertained.

Initial investigations suggested that Gagan was at home and had received a call from his friends around 3 a.m., after which he left the house.