Gwalior Horror: 14 Dead as Out-of-Control Truck Mows Down Devotees
14 dead as a paddy-laden truck crashes into devotees at Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior. Families allege police negligence.
A devastating tragedy struck Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh when a truck laden with paddy lost control and plowed into a crowd of devotees gathered near the Sheetla Mata Temple. The horrific incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, has left 14 people dead and several others injured, sparking outrage among the victims' families over alleged police negligence.
The Midnight Chaos
The accident took place around 1:30 am. According to Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmveer Singh, the truck was traveling from the Chhinor direction. As the vehicle descended a steep slope—an area where heavy vehicles are strictly restricted—the driver lost control.
The momentum of the heavy vehicle was so great that it reportedly smashed through police checkpoints and barricades before crashing into the pilgrims. The truck eventually came to a halt after hitting the outer wall and gate of the Sheetla Mata Temple, leaving a trail of destruction and death in its wake.
Heartbreaking Loss of Life
District Collector Ruchika Chauhan confirmed that the death toll has reached 14. The victims include:
- Ten men
- Two women
- Two children under the age of eighteen
While many of the injured were discharged after receiving primary care, Collector Chauhan noted that three to four patients remain in critical condition at the trauma centre.
Government Response and Compensation
Madhya Pradesh Minister Rakesh Shukla visited the injured at the trauma centre on Sunday, assuring them that the state government is providing all necessary medical support. He stated that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is closely monitoring the situation and promised a thorough investigation to hold the responsible parties accountable.
In response to the tragedy, high-level financial aid has been announced:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
- CM Mohan Yadav: Announced Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for the seriously injured, and Rs 50,000 for others. The Chief Minister also mandated that all injured victims receive free medical treatment.
Families Allege Police Negligence
Despite the government's promises, the atmosphere remains tense. Grieving relatives have accused the police of gross negligence, claiming that rescue operations were delayed by several hours. Some family members alleged that the police were slow to transport the victims to the hospital.
The pain of the survivors turned into anger during a visit by SSP Dharmveer Singh to the post-mortem centre. One distraught mother, whose grandson Divyansh died in the crash, accused the police of blocking her family from searching for their loved ones.
"I was informed at 6 o'clock in the morning. My daughter went to find them but police did not allow her. Why wouldn't the police help me find her? Tell me, if it were your own child, wouldn't you be in pain?"
The families continue to demand answers regarding why a heavy vehicle was allowed on a restricted slope and why the emergency response was allegedly sluggish during the critical first few hours after the crash.