Daijiworld Media Network - Gwalior

Gwalior, Oct 18: At least 14 people were killed and more than 30 others injured after a truck carrying paddy lost control and ran over devotees near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior in the early hours of Sunday.

The incident occurred around 1.30 am when the truck reportedly lost control while negotiating a steep slope, broke through a police checkpoint and crashed into the temple's gate and outer wall. Several devotees gathered near the temple for the Navratri season were caught in its path.

Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh said the road had been restricted to heavy vehicles. However, the truck allegedly broke through the police barricades before losing control and crashing into the temple premises, crushing devotees on the road.

Of the 39 injured, five to six people were reported to be in critical condition and were receiving treatment. Two police personnel were also injured in the incident.

An eyewitness alleged that the truck was overloaded and questioned how it was allowed to pass through the checkpoint. He said several people died on the spot and that the vehicle also hit shops in the area. His brother was among those injured.

Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan visited the hospital to meet the injured and ordered an investigation into the incident. She said the presence of barricades and a police checkpoint on the road during Navratri raised questions about how the truck entered the restricted stretch.

An RTO team has also been directed to conduct a mechanical inspection of the vehicle to determine whether a technical fault contributed to the accident. The administration has assured assistance to the victims.