The mishap occurred when Ashish Harshodha, a 27-year-old factory owner from Rajkot city, was on his way to Visavadar in Junagadh district along with family and friends for his engagement.

The group was travelling in two cars; the one in which the groom was travelling was a Land Cruiser.

Early on Sunday, the car collided with an earthmover near Gondal.

The police said the accident occurred soon after the Land Cruiser collided with a JCB, which was running on the wrong side, around 6 am.

The party had started off from Harshodha's place in Shyamal Society on the 150 Feet Ring Road only an hour and a half before the accident.

Among the dead include Ashish and his mother. His father and younger brother,

Chandresh, who were travelling in another car, survived.

Both Ashish and Chandresh had their weddings fixed on February 14 and 15 respectively.

“Eight people died on the spot. Two others breathed their last at the Rajkot Civil Hospital. Two persons have been severely injured,” said Gondal taluka police.

Those who died on the spot have been identified as Savita Harsodha (45),

Amruta Saparia (60), Nirmal Saparia (40), Kishor Vora (40), Kusum Jesai (32), Bhakti Vora (20), Karsan Saparia (36) and Ashok Lal (28).