The accident occurred near Panwadi village on the Agra-Mumbai National Highway, some 15 km from the district headquarters, around 6.30 am, Sunera police station in-charge Gopal Nigwal said.

A group of pilgrims from Khargone district were returning from Badrinath Dham when their van swerved to avoid hitting some cattle and overturned, he said.

Two of the occupants, Kamla Bai (50) and Janki Bai (40), died, while 11, including five women and six men, sustained injuries, the official said.

Of the injured persons, 10 were undergoing treatment at the district hospital in Shajapur, while one has been referred to Indore for treatment, he said.