Three professional cyclists were killed and five people injured when a 25-ton cargo truck smashed into their group during training on a local road in southeastern Korea, police said Tuesday.

The accident took place in Euiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, 334 kilometers southeast of Seoul at around 9:50 a.m., when an apparently speeding truck crashed into the cyclists and their support van from behind, police said.

The cargo truck hit the group's minivan, which was following them at the time of the accident with their coach inside. It then ploughed into the rear of the group of cyclists, according to police.

Three cyclists died at the scene and four others were seriously injured. The coach sustained a minor injury, police said. The cyclists are affiliated with the city government of Sangju.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident. (Yonhap)