World · South & Central Asia · 1 hr ago
Truck crash near Gwalior temple kills devotees; Modi announces aid
A truck crashed into devotees near Shitala Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, late Saturday or early Sunday.
Police said the truck hit people and roadside stalls before striking the temple gate, whose wall partly collapsed.
Accounts differ on the toll: one reported 12 deaths and 29 injuries, while another reported 14 deaths and nearly 40 injured.
Police said a preliminary investigation suggested mechanical failure may have caused the driver to lose control.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh for each deceased person's next of kin and Rs 50,000 for each injured person from a relief fund.
The injured are receiving medical care, and police are investigating the crash.
A truck crashed into devotees gathered near a temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, early on October 18.
Reports gave differing death tolls, ranging from 12 to 14, and said nearly 40 people were injured.
Police said the truck lost control; a preliminary investigation cited by Hindustan Times suggested mechanical failure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased person’s next of kin and Rs 50,000 for each injured person.
- Who
- Devotees gathered near a temple were hit by a truck.
- What
- The truck crashed into the crowd, killing people and injuring nearly 40.
- When
- Early on October 18, 2026. One report said the crash occurred around 1.30 a.m.
- Where
- Near Sheetlamata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Why
- The driver lost control of the truck. A preliminary investigation cited by Hindustan Times suggested mechanical failure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A truck hit devotees near Sheetlamata Temple in Gwalior.
Rescue operations were underway, and the injured were taken for treatment.
Narendra Modi announced financial assistance for the deceased people’s next of kin and the injured.
- Location
- Sheetlamata Temple, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
- Crash time
- Around 1.30 a.m. on October 18, 2026
- Reported deaths
- 12 to 14, depending on the report
- Injuries
- Nearly 40
- Aid for each deceased person’s next of kin
- Rs 2 lakh
- Aid for each injured person
- Rs 50,000
4 sources
‘Heartbreaking’: Out-of-control truck kills 13 at Hindu festival in India
Gwalior accident kills 14 devotees: PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh relief for kin
13 killed, 40 injured as truck hits devotees near temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior
12 killed as truck hits devotees, crashes into Gwalior temple gate; mechanical failure suspected
What people are saying
Thirteen persons were killed near the Sheetlamata Mandir when an uncontrolled truck loaded with paddy hit devotees waiting on the roadside,
I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of those injured,