Quick Answer: A paddy-laden truck lost control on a steep, heavy-vehicle-restricted road near Gwalior’s Sheetla Mata Temple at around 1:30 AM on Sunday, October 18, ploughing through devotees and smashing into the temple’s outer wall and gate. Gwalior police say 12 of the 39 people taken to hospital died; the district collector’s initial briefing put the toll at 11.
At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured early Sunday, October 18, when a paddy-laden truck ran out of control near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, crashing into devotees and the temple’s outer wall and gate after breaking through Navratri-period police barricades.
Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh told ANI the crash happened at around 1:30 AM on the steep road descending from the Chhinor side, where heavy vehicles are restricted. Thirty-nine people were taken to hospital; police say 12 died. Five to six of the injured are in critical condition with fractures; the rest have minor injuries. Two on-duty policemen were also hurt.
Gwalior Sheetla Mata Temple Truck Accident: What Happened
According to the police account, the truck was coming from the direction of Chhinor when it lost control on the slope leading down toward the temple. SSP Singh’s account, in his own words: “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.”
The official toll figures disagree and are still being reconciled: SSP Singh says 12 of the 39 hospitalised died; Collector Ruchika Chauhan’s initial briefing said 11 had lost their lives with around 29 injured. This report uses the conservative confirmed figure of at least 11 while both counts are verified.
Collector Ruchika Chauhan said ambulances were dispatched right after the 1:30 AM report. The truck had veered continuously left as it descended, she said, and her initial briefing counted 29 injured.
How Did the Truck Get Past the Barricades?
The key question is how the truck entered a restricted stretch at all: a checkpoint and stopper stood on the road for Navratri, yet the vehicle got through. Collector Chauhan said: “A stopper and a police checkpoint were present on that road during Navratri, so how the vehicle managed to get inside is a matter of investigation. We have also sent an RTO team to inspect the truck mechanically and find out what issue occurred and how it veered to the left.”
An eyewitness, whose brother was injured, described the scene: “This occurred at around 1 AM. I saw some people die on the spot. The truck was overloaded; it came suddenly and ran over some shops and people. My brother also sustained injuries. There is still chaos at the spot of the incident.”
The collector added that medical teams are running CT scans and X-rays on the injured; police said further details are awaited.
Why It Matters
This is the second deadly festival-period disaster in India within a day — it comes hours after the Kolkata Durga Puja stampede, in which at least 17 were feared dead. The Gwalior truck broke through a checkpoint during Navratri, when restrictions should be tightest — how it slipped through matters enormously.
What Happens Next
Police are investigating how the truck passed the barricades and checkpoint, while the Regional Transport Office inspects the vehicle mechanically to determine why it veered left. Hospital officials are still confirming identities, so the toll may be revised. Expect updated figures and the RTO’s preliminary findings in the coming hours.
Key Takeaways
- A paddy-laden truck lost control at around 1:30 AM on Sunday, October 18, on a steep restricted road near Gwalior’s Sheetla Mata Temple, breaking through barricades and crashing into devotees and the temple’s wall and gate.
- At least 11 were killed: police say 12 of 39 hospitalised died; the collector’s initial briefing cited 11 dead and 29 injured.
- Five to six injured are in critical condition with fractures; two police personnel on duty were also injured.
- An eyewitness said the truck looked overloaded and “came suddenly”, running over people and shops.
- Authorities are probing how it entered the Navratri-restricted stretch; the RTO is inspecting the vehicle.
FAQs
How many people died in the Gwalior truck accident?
Officials disagree and the figures are still being reconciled: SSP Dharmveer Singh says 12 of the 39 hospitalised died; Collector Ruchika Chauhan’s initial briefing said 11 died with around 29 injured. This report uses the conservative confirmed figure of at least 11.
What time did the accident happen near the Sheetla Mata Temple?
Police say around 1:30 AM on Sunday, October 18, on the road descending from the Chhinor side toward the temple; an eyewitness put it at around 1 AM. The truck was coming from the Chhinor direction when it lost control, and devotees were heading to the shrine in large numbers for Navratri.
Where exactly did the Gwalior truck crash take place?
The crash happened on a steep road coming from the Chhinor side toward the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The truck lost control on the slope, broke through police barricades, ran over pilgrims, and crashed into the temple’s outer wall and gate.
Why was a truck allowed on a road where heavy vehicles are restricted?
That is the key question under investigation. A checkpoint and stopper stood on the road for Navratri, yet the truck got through. Collector Ruchika Chauhan said authorities are investigating how, and the RTO is inspecting the truck mechanically to find what caused it to veer left.
Who is investigating the Gwalior temple accident?
Two inquiries are under way. Gwalior police are probing how the truck got past the barricades and checkpoint, while the RTO inspects the vehicle mechanically for what caused its leftward veer. Medical teams are conducting CT scans and X-rays on the injured to guide their treatment.
What did the eyewitness at the scene say?
An eyewitness, whose brother was injured, said: “This occurred at around 1 AM. I saw some people die on the spot. The truck was overloaded; it came suddenly and ran over some shops and people. My brother also sustained injuries. There is still chaos at the spot of the incident.”
Sources
- The Economic Times, “12 dead, several injured as truck runs over devotees near Gwalior’s Sheetla Mata temple” (Oct 18, 2026): full report
- NDTV (syndicated feed), “12 Killed As Truck Runs Over Devotees Near Temple In Madhya Pradesh” (Oct 18, 2026): full report
- ANI (embedded in both) — on-record statements by Gwalior SSP Dharmveer Singh and Collector Ruchika Chauhan; early scene visuals, Oct 18, 2026
Related Reading
- Kolkata Durga Puja Stampede: 17 Feared Dead in Chorbagan Rush
- Kota Bus Accident: 8 Dead as Minibus Plunges Off Expressway
By GlobalDeskNews Staff | October 18, 2026