13 devotees crushed to death after truck crashes through Gwalior temple wall: news

Gwalior Temple Road Accident: Devotees Killed as Out-of-Control Truck Crashes into Sheetla Mata Temple

An out-of-control heavy commercial truck plowed into a crowd of pilgrims before crashing through the outer wall and entrance gate of the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The tragic incident left at least 12 to 13 devotees dead and around 39 others injured during Navratri celebrations.

Incident Overview and Sequence of Events

The road accident occurred at approximately 1:30 AM on a descending road connecting the Chhinor route to the Sheetla Mata Temple. The stretch had heavy vehicle restrictions in place due to the steep slope and the high density of walking pilgrims.

• Barricade Breach: The truck, heavily laden with paddy, broke through police barricades and safety stoppers positioned at a security checkpoint.

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• Impact Path: After losing control on the incline, the vehicle veered sharply into multiple makeshift prasad stalls and crowded pedestrian lanes.

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• Wall Collapse: The vehicle brought down a section of the temple’s gateway and perimeter wall, crushing several devotees and trapping victims beneath falling debris before coming to a stop.

Casualty Figures and Hospitalization

• Fatalities: At least 12 victims died on impact or shortly after arrival at nearby medical facilities, with early estimates indicating up to 13 fatalities.

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• Injuries: A total of 39 individuals were transported to regional hospitals across Gwalior, with five to six patients admitted in critical condition suffering from multiple fractures and severe trauma.

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• Police Personnel: Two on-duty police officers stationed at the festival checkpoints sustained injuries during the collision and are receiving ongoing treatment.

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Official Response and Mechanical Investigation

Emergency rescue operations commenced immediately following the alert, with the Gwalior District Administration deploying local police units and medical fleets to clear the site and transport the injured.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh and District Collector Ruchika Chauhan confirmed that an inquiry is underway to determine how the commercial vehicle accessed the restricted slope during peak festival hours. A specialized technical inspection team from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has been tasked with analyzing the vehicle to verify whether sudden brake failure, mechanical breakdown, or driver negligence led to the loss of vehicular control.