Gwalior, October 18 (TNA) At least 15 devotees were killed and 26 people, including two police personnel, were injured after a speeding truck ran over a crowd near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior late Saturday night, officials said.
The accident occurred at around 1.30 am on Chinaur Road, where devotees had gathered in a queue for darshan. The truck reportedly lost control while descending a slope, crossed police barricades and ploughed into the crowd.
The vehicle then hit roadside shops and crashed into the temple’s entrance gate and outer wall. The impact caused part of the temple structure to collapse, trapping several people under the debris.
Rescue teams, police personnel and residents began removing the injured and trapped victims from the site. A total of 39 people were initially taken to hospitals, with several patients reported to be in critical condition.
Two police personnel deployed near the temple were also injured in the crash and were undergoing treatment. The remaining injured victims were shifted to hospitals in Gwalior for medical care. The truck was reportedly carrying paddy and had entered a restricted stretch where heavy vehicles were not permitted during the religious gathering. Authorities have launched an investigation into how it crossed the barricades and police checkpoint.
The Regional Transport Office has been asked to conduct a mechanical inspection of the truck. Police are also examining whether speeding, brake failure or another mechanical fault caused the driver to lose control.
According to a report, police arrested the truck driver, Dilbag Singh, and vehicle owner Mohit Singh in connection with the incident. Officials are verifying the circumstances and identifying the victims. The tragedy has raised questions about traffic restrictions, barricading and crowd-management arrangements near the temple during the Navratri rush. Authorities have increased security and traffic controls around the shrine.