12 Killed, 29 Injured as Out-of-Control Truck Runs Over Devotees Near Temple in Madhya Pradesh
At least 12 people were killed and 29 others injured after an out-of-control truck ran over devotees near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, late Saturday night. The truck reportedly broke through police barricades before crashing into the temple’s entrance gate and outer wall.
According to Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh, the incident occurred at around 1:30 am when a truck loaded with paddy, travelling from the Chhinor direction, lost control on a steep slope where the movement of heavy vehicles is restricted.
The truck reportedly broke through the barricades and ran over pilgrims walking along the road before crashing into the temple structure. The accident occurred when a large number of devotees were on their way to the temple.
“This is a tragic incident where pilgrims were travelling to Sheetla Mata Temple in large numbers. The road coming from the Chhinor side has a steep slope where heavy traffic is restricted. Around 1:30 am, a truck loaded with paddy broke through the police barricades, suddenly lost control and crashed into the outer wall and gate of the temple,” SSP Dharmveer Singh said.
He added that two police personnel deployed at the spot were also injured and are undergoing treatment.
According to the SSP, a total of 39 people were taken to the hospital following the accident, of whom 12 died. Five to six injured people sustained serious injuries, including fractures, while others suffered minor injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan said ambulances and other emergency vehicles were dispatched immediately after authorities received information about the accident.
She stated that 29 people had sustained injuries, while five to six patients were in critical condition. However, her statement put the death toll at 11, while the police reported 12 deaths.
Authorities have launched an investigation into how the truck managed to cross the barricades and police checkpoint established along the road during Navratri.
Collector Ruchika Chauhan said a traffic stopper and police checkpoint had been put in place to regulate vehicle movement during the festival. Investigators are examining how the truck entered the restricted stretch.
An inspection team from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has also been sent to examine the truck mechanically and determine whether a technical fault contributed to the accident.
Chauhan added that doctors are conducting CT scans and X-rays on the injured to assess their conditions and ensure appropriate treatment.
An eyewitness, whose brother was injured in the accident, claimed that the truck was overloaded and suddenly came down the road before losing control.
He said the vehicle ran over several people and struck shops along the way, killing some victims on the spot. The eyewitness also confirmed that his brother sustained injuries in the incident.
“There was chaos at the spot after the accident,” he said.
The incident has raised concerns over road safety and crowd management near religious sites during major festivals. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
