At Least 15 Killed As Paddy-Laden Truck Runs Over Devotees In Gwalior Temple
At least 15 people, including two Home Guard personnel, were killed and several others injured after a speeding truck loaded with paddy ploughed into a crowd of devotees near the Sheetla Mata temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in the early hours of Sunday.
The accident occurred around 1.30 am on Chinor Road, where large numbers of devotees had gathered to visit the temple during the Navratri celebrations.
At least 29 people were injured, with some in critical condition, according to reports.
The Punjab-registered truck, reportedly carrying an overloaded consignment of paddy from Dabra market, entered a restricted stretch of road where vehicles were prohibited because of the heavy movement of pilgrims.
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The vehicle broke through barricades and lost control while descending a steep slope, running over devotees and striking roadside shops before crashing into the temple’s entrance gate and outer wall. Parts of the structure collapsed trapping people beneath the debris.
Local residents, police personnel and devotees took part in rescue efforts, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Police are investigating how the truck managed to enter the no-entry zone and travel several kilometres along the restricted route despite the barricades and security arrangements in place for the festival.
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Investigators are examining whether mechanical failure, including a possible brake failure, or driver error caused the accident.
They are also looking into reports that the driver may have followed a Google Maps route into the restricted area and whether he was under the influence of alcohol.
These possibilities have not been established as the cause of the crash. The truck driver, Dilbagh Singh, and its owner, Harpreet Singh, have been arrested, according to reports.
Following the incident, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered a magisterial inquiry and disciplinary action over alleged lapses in security arrangements.
The City Superintendent of Police was removed from the post, while eight other police personnel, including three station house officers, a traffic inspector, a head constable and three constables, were suspended.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the deaths and announced compensation from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
The families of each deceased victim will receive ₹2 lakh, while those injured will receive ₹50,000.
The Madhya Pradesh government also announced separate compensation of ₹4 lakh for each deceased victim’s family, ₹2 lakh for those seriously injured and ₹50,000 for other injured victims.
