GWALIOR: At least 15 people were killed and 24 others injured when a paddy-laden truck broke through police barricades and ploughed into a crowd of devotees heading to the Sheetla Mata temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior in the early hours of Sunday. The accident occurred around 1:30 AM on the Chhinor road, a steep stretch where heavy vehicle movement is strictly restricted.
According to available information, the truck had initially been stopped on the road but broke through the barricades, lost control while descending the steep slope, and hurtled downward before crashing into the temple’s outer wall and main gate. Devotees walking along the route were crushed underneath the heavy vehicle. A senior police official confirmed that a total of 39 people were rushed to the hospital following the incident, of whom 15 succumbed to their injuries. Five to six victims remain in critical condition with fractures, while others sustained minor injuries and are undergoing medical treatment. Two police personnel deployed at the scene were also among the injured.
Statements from Police and Administration
Terming the incident deeply tragic, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh told news agency ANI that a large number of pilgrims were travelling to the Sheetla Mata temple when the truck lost control. “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 was stopped there. It broke through the police barricades, suddenly lost control, came down, and crashed into the outer wall and gate of the temple,” he explained. He added that devotees walking on the road were crushed under the vehicle, leading to multiple casualties, and confirmed that the injured—including the two police personnel—were receiving treatment.
Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan stated that the administration received news of the accident at around 1:30 AM and immediately launched swift relief and rescue operations.
“Today, at around 1:30 AM, information was received that a truck coming from the direction of Chhinor towards the temple lost control and veered continuously to the left. Immediately, news of the accident started coming in, and ambulances and other vehicles were dispatched,” Chauhan noted.
The collector confirmed that a formal investigation will be conducted to determine how the truck gained entry into the restricted stretch despite checkpoints and barricades erected specifically for Navratri.
Additionally, the administration dispatched a Regional Transport Office (RTO) mechanical team to inspect the vehicle and ascertain whether a mechanical failure caused it to veer out of control. Chauhan assured that medical teams were conducting CT scans and X-rays on the injured to evaluate their condition and ensure comprehensive care.
Eyewitness Account
An eyewitness described chaotic scenes after the truck entered the congested area without warning, hitting pedestrians and roadside stalls.
“This occurred at around 1 AM. I saw some people die on the spot. The truck was overloaded; it came suddenly and ran over some shops and people,” the eyewitness told ANI, noting that the area remained in a state of shock following the crash.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com