Gwalior Tragedy: VP C P Radhakrishnan Mourns Loss of 14 Devotees
VP C P Radhakrishnan and PM Modi express grief after a truck crashes into devotees at Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, killing 14.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan has expressed profound grief following a devastating road accident in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, which claimed the lives of 14 devotees. In a heartfelt message shared on X, the Vice President conveyed his deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended his sincerest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. He also wished for a swift recovery for all those currently battling injuries in the hospital.
A Night of Horror at Sheetla Mata Temple
The incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning, around 1:30 am, turning a spiritual gathering into a scene of chaos. A truck loaded with paddy, reportedly arriving from the Chhinor direction, lost control while navigating a steep slope. The momentum of the heavy vehicle was so great that it allegedly smashed through police barricades and a checkpoint before plowing into a crowd of devotees gathered near the Sheetla Mata Temple.
The carnage did not stop there; the truck continued its path of destruction, running over pilgrims before finally crashing into the outer wall and the main gate of the temple.
The Human Cost of the Crash
According to Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan, the death toll has reached 14. The victims include:
- Ten men
- Two women
- Two children under the age of 18
Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh confirmed that 39 people were rushed to the hospital for emergency care. Among the injured were two police personnel who were stationed at the checkpoint at the time of the crash. While several patients have been discharged after receiving initial treatment, three to four individuals remain in critical condition.
National Leaders Express Anguish
The tragedy has drawn reactions from top leadership across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the loss of lives and announced immediate financial assistance to support the victims. An ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) has been sanctioned for the kin of each deceased person, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary also voiced his pain over the incident, describing the road accident as "heart-wrenching." In a post on X, he prayed for the departed souls and asked for strength for the grieving families to endure this immense loss, while also praying for the speedy recovery of the survivors.