The truck reportedly broke through police barricades on a downhill road before crashing into the temple’s outer wall and gate. Gwalior: At least 12 devotees were killed and several others injured after a paddy-laden truck ran over people heading to the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, early Sunday (October 18).
Police checkpoint could not stop the truck
The truck was travelling from the Chhinor side towards the temple along a sloping road. The police had placed barricades and a checkpoint on the route during Navratri, when heavy vehicles were restricted from entering the area. Officials are investigating how the truck entered the restricted stretch despite these measures.
The accident took place around 1.30 am on the day of Durga Ashtami during Navratri, when large numbers of devotees were travelling to the temple. Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan said the administration received information about the accident at around 1.30 am. An eyewitness told news agency ANI that the accident happened at around 1 am and that several people appeared to have died at the spot.
Five to six injured people are said to be in critical condition. Two police personnel on duty are also among those injured, according to Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh. She also said that a police checkpoint and a stopper had been installed on the road during Navratri.
The truck, which was coming from the direction of Chhinor, veered continuously to the left before the collision.
Ambulances and other emergency vehicles were sent to the spot after the first reports came in. The injured were taken to hospital for treatment, with medical teams conducting CT scans and X-rays to assess their injuries.
