Hyderabad: Three people were killed when a Tata Ace plunged into one of the canals of the Nagarjunasagar in the Vemulapalli village of Nalgonda district on Sunday morning.

The driver and two passengers drowned. The bodies and the vehicle were later fished out by the police and locals. The victims were identified as C. Lingaiah, 35, and his relative C. Nagaiah, 38, both sheep traders, and driver G. Nagaraju.

Miryalaguda sub division DSP G. Sandeep said the incident occurred at around 3 am and locals noticed it only after daybreak. "It was pitch dark and the vehicle was moving on the road parallel to the canal. The driver must have lost control. The vehicle overturned and plunged into the water," he said.

After sunrise the locals found something unusual in the water and informed the police. The vehicle's tip was visible. When it was pulled out they found that it was a Tata Ace.

"Later, they fished out the bodies and started efforts to identify them. The relatives of the victims identified them," said Mr Sandeep. The victims had gone to sell sheep in Krishna district on Saturday and were returning when the mishap occurred. The police booked a case.