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Early morning visuals from the spot where a truck ran over several people near Sheetla Mata Mandir in Gwalior (Photo/ANI)

Thirteen devotees were killed, and 40 others were injured after a paddy-laden truck ran over pilgrims near Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in the early hours of Sunday (Oct 18). According to Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh, the truck was travelling from the Chhinor direction when it lost control on a steep stretch where heavy vehicles are restricted. The vehicle reportedly broke through police barricades before crashing into the temple’s outer wall and gate. Two police personnel on duty were also injured.

“This is a tragic incident where pilgrims were travelling to Sheetla Mata Temple in large numbers. The road coming from the Chhinor side has a steep slope where heavy traffic is restricted. Around 1.30 AM, a truck loaded with paddy was stopped there. It broke through the police barricades, suddenly lost control, came down, and crashed into the outer wall and gate of the temple. The devotees who were on the road were crushed underneath it, leading to this accident,” Singh said.

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“Two police personnel who were on duty at the spot were also injured, and their treatment is ongoing,” he added.

“According to the information received so far, a total of 39 people have been taken to the hospital, out of which 12 people have died. 5 or 6 patients are critically injured with fractures, while the rest sustained minor injuries and are currently receiving treatment,” he said.

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Gwalior temple tragedy: Truck runs over pilgrims near Sheetla Mata Temple

A paddy-laden truck reportedly broke through police barricades and ran over devotees near Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior in the early hours of October 18. The vehicle was travelling from the Chhinor direction when it lost control on a steep slope where heavy vehicles are restricted, according to Gwalior SSP Dharmveer Singh. It subsequently crashed into the temple’s outer wall and gate. Two police personnel who were on duty at the spot were also injured and are undergoing treatment. Singh said 39 people had been taken to hospital, including patients with critical injuries and fractures. The final death toll and the number of injured need to be confirmed against the latest official update.

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