12 killed as truck runs over devotees near temple in central India

A runaway truck ploughed into devotees in front of the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, in India’s Madhya Pradesh state, killing 12 people.

The accident happened early Sunday (18 October), at around 1:30 am local time. The temple was crowded with worshippers for Navratri.

Police said the truck, loaded with paddy, was coming from the Chhinor area. It lost control as it descended the sloping road beside the temple, which is closed to heavy vehicles. The truck broke through a police checkpoint and barricades and ran over people gathered in front of the temple. It stopped only after hitting the temple’s outer wall and entrance gate. The impact also damaged the temple entrance and nearby prasad (offering) stalls.

Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh said 39 people were taken to hospital after the accident, and 12 of them were declared dead. Five or six of the injured are in critical condition, and some have fractures. The rest suffered minor injuries. Two police officers on security duty at the temple were also hurt and are receiving treatment.

Indian media reported that all of the dead were devotees who had come to worship, many of them in groups. Panic and chaos spread through the area, and the cries of grieving relatives made the scene heartbreaking. Some people were reportedly trapped under debris.

Police had set up checkpoints and barricades in the area to manage the Navratri crowds. Questions are now being raised about how a heavy truck entered a restricted road and got past the barricades. Authorities are investigating the cause.

The historic Sheetla Mata Temple is about 18 kilometres from the district headquarters. It draws large numbers of devotees from far and wide, especially during Navratri.