At least 15 people have reportedly lost their lives and nearly three dozen others sustained injuries after a heavy commercial truck plowed into a gathering of pilgrims near the Shitla Mata temple in the Indian city of Gwalior. Local law enforcement authorities stated that the catastrophic incident occurred in the dead of night, around 01:30 local time on October 18, raising urgent concerns over heavy vehicle regulations.

According to preliminary reports, the truck, which was heavily laden with bags of rice, purportedly lost control while navigating a steep downward slope. The massive vehicle smashed through makeshift police barricades and plowed directly into pedestrians and pilgrims gathered near the temple grounds, finally coming to a halt only after violently crashing into the temple's outer wall and main gateway.

Gwalior District Administration head Ruchika Chauhan publicly asserted that the route allegedly featured designated barriers and a security checkpoint, prompting investigators to question how the vehicle managed to breach the perimeter. Official updates confirm that 29 individuals were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment, with at least five victims reportedly clinging to life in critical condition.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the truck may have been severely overloaded beyond its legal capacity, exacerbating the driver's alleged failure to maintain control on the treacherous incline. Forensic and mechanical teams have launched an extensive probe to ascertain the precise sequence of events leading up to the disaster.

Source: kun.uz