12 Killed as Paddy-Laden Truck Ploughs Into Devotees Near Gwalior Temple, Probe Ordered

At least 12 people were killed and several others injured after a paddy-laden truck broke through police barricades and ran over devotees near Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, at around 1.30 am on Sunday. The truck subsequently crashed into the temple’s outer wall and gate.

According to Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh, the truck was travelling from the Chhinor direction when it lost control on a steep slope where heavy vehicles are restricted. The vehicle reportedly breached the police checkpoint before descending the road and ploughing into pilgrims gathered near the temple.

The accident left dozens of people injured, prompting an emergency response from the district administration. Police personnel deployed at the spot also sustained injuries, while several patients were reported to be in critical condition.

Singh said 39 people had been taken to hospital following the incident. Of them, 12 had died, while five to six patients were critically injured and the remaining victims had sustained minor injuries. Two police personnel who were on duty at the scene were also injured and were receiving treatment.

Truck Breaks Through Barricades, Crashes Into Temple Gate

Describing the sequence of events, Singh said the truck was loaded with paddy and had been stopped on the road leading from Chhinor towards the temple. The stretch has a steep gradient, and heavy traffic is restricted there.

However, the vehicle broke through the police barricades and suddenly lost control, moving downhill towards the devotees.

“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,” Singh said.

He added that the truck broke through the barricades before crashing into the temple’s outer wall and gate, crushing devotees who were on the road.

“The devotees who were on the road were crushed underneath it, leading to this accident,” the SSP said.

The presence of a large number of pilgrims on the road added to the scale of the tragedy. The accident occurred during Navratri, when devotees were travelling to the temple in significant numbers.

39 People Taken to Hospital, Several Critically Injured

The district administration mobilised emergency services after receiving information about the crash. Ambulances and other vehicles were sent to the scene to transport the injured to hospital.

Singh reportedly said 39 people had been taken to hospital, confirming 12 deaths. Five to six patients had suffered critical injuries, including fractures, while others had sustained less serious injuries and were receiving medical attention.

Collector Ruchika Chauhan provided a separate account of the casualties, stating that 11 people had died and around 29 had sustained injuries. She also said five to six patients were critically injured.

The figures provided by the two officials differed, with the SSP reporting 12 deaths and 39 people taken to hospital, while the Collector reported 11 deaths and around 29 injured people. The final casualty figures were not clarified in the statements provided.

Medical teams were continuing to examine the injured to determine the extent of their injuries and ensure that patients received appropriate treatment.

Chauhan said doctors and medical staff were carrying out CT scans and X-rays on the injured. The examinations were intended to help medical teams assess their condition and plan further treatment.

Collector Orders Probe Into How Truck Entered Restricted Road

The district administration has initiated an investigation into the circumstances that allowed the truck to enter the restricted stretch despite the presence of barricades and a police checkpoint.

Chauhan said a stopper and a police checkpoint had been installed on the road during Navratri. Officials are now examining how the vehicle managed to cross these restrictions and reach the area where devotees were present.

“A stopper and a police checkpoint were present on that road during Navratri, so how the vehicle managed to get inside is a matter of investigation,” she said.

The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the truck’s movement along the steep road and its passage through the barricades.

Authorities have also sent a Regional Transport Office (RTO) team to inspect the vehicle mechanically. The team will examine the truck to determine whether a mechanical problem contributed to the crash and why it veered to the left.

The mechanical inspection is one of the steps being taken to establish what caused the driver to lose control. The administration has not yet announced the findings of the inspection.

Eyewitness Says Truck Was Overloaded

An eyewitness whose brother was injured in the accident said the truck appeared to be overloaded and arrived suddenly before losing control.

He reportedly said he saw several people die at the scene as the vehicle ran over people and shops. His brother was among those injured in the crash.

“This occurred at around 1am. I saw some people die on the spot. The truck was overloaded; it came suddenly and ran over some shops and people. My brother also sustained injuries,” the eyewitness said.

The eyewitness's account raised concerns about the truck’s load and its movement along the road. However, the administration has yet to establish the cause of the crash, with the RTO inspection expected to help determine whether a mechanical fault played a role.

Investigation Continues After Deadly Temple-Side Crash

The accident took place as devotees were travelling in large numbers to Sheetla Mata Temple during Navratri. The truck’s reported breach of the barricades has become a central question for investigators, given that restrictions on heavy vehicles were in place along the steep stretch.

Police and district officials are examining how the vehicle entered the road, lost control and struck devotees before crashing into the temple’s outer wall and gate.

Meanwhile, injured people continue to receive treatment, with medical teams conducting scans and X-rays to assess their condition. The administration has also initiated a mechanical inspection of the truck to establish the circumstances leading to the accident.

Further details, including the findings of the investigation and the final casualty figures, are awaited.