Gwalior, OCT 18: A tragic road accident outside the Sheetla Mata temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior district claimed the lives of 15 devotees, including several teenagers, and left around 25 others injured early on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 1:30 AM on Chinar Road when a paddy-laden truck bearing a Punjab registration number entered a designated no-entry zone. The speeding vehicle ploughed through devotees waiting in line for darshan and crushed roadside shops before colliding with the temple entrance gate. The heavy impact brought down a portion of the temple wall, trapping several worshippers under the falling debris.
Investigating officers stated that a mechanical failure, such as brake failure, might have forced the driver to swerve, though the driver fled the scene immediately following the collision. Authorities maintained that police teams are conducting search operations to apprehend the driver, while Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered a high-level inquiry and administrative action against nine police personnel posted in the area.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the loss of lives, announcing ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister Yadav declared financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured, and affirmed that the state government will bear all medical treatment expenses for the victims.
