Truck crashes into pilgrims near Gwalior temple, killing at least 15

At least 15 people died after a truck struck pilgrims near the Sheetla Mata temple outside Gwalior, India, The Times of India reported. The crash happened in the early hours of October 18.

Police accounts carried by ANI said the truck was approaching from Chhinor when it went out of control on a steep descent at about 1:30 a.m. It broke through police barricades, struck people and crashed into the temple wall.

Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh said heavy vehicles were restricted on that stretch of road. The truck was carrying rice. District Collector Ruchika Chauhan initially reported that 39 people had been taken to hospitals, of whom 12 had died. Two police officers on duty were also injured, and several patients were in critical condition.

The Times of India later reported that the death toll had reached 15 and that the truck's driver and owner had been arrested. Authorities are investigating how the vehicle passed checkpoints set up for the religious festival.

The Sheetla Mata temple is about 20 kilometers from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, near Santau village. Dedicated to the goddess Sheetla, it draws especially large numbers of pilgrims during Navratri. This year's nine-day autumn festival runs from October 11 to 19.