12 killed as truck ploughs into devotees near Madhya Pradesh temple

At least 12 people were killed and several others injured after an out-of-control truck ploughed into a crowd of devotees near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, early Sunday.

The accident occurred at around 1:30am when a paddy-laden truck travelling from the Chhinor direction lost control on a steep slope where the movement of heavy vehicles is restricted, according to Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh.

The truck reportedly broke through police barricades before running over devotees gathered on the road and crashing into the temple's gate and outer wall.

Singh said a large number of devotees were heading to the Sheetla Mata Temple at the time of the accident.

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The truck had initially been stopped at the restricted section of the road but broke through the police barricades and lost control while coming down the slope, he said.

Devotees on the road were crushed under the vehicle before it slammed into the temple premises.

Two police personnel deployed at the scene were also injured and are undergoing treatment.

According to the SSP, a total of 39 people were taken to hospital following the accident. Twelve of them succumbed to their injuries, while five to six others remained in critical condition. The remaining victims sustained minor injuries.