India
oi-Ashish Rana
The families of victims killed in the Gwalior temple tragedy have accused the police and administration of negligence after a truck ploughed into devotees outside Shitala Mata Temple early Sunday morning, killing 15 people and injuring 27 others.
Following a tragedy where 15 devotees were killed and 27 injured by a speeding truck outside Gwalior’s Shitala Mata Temple on Sunday, victims’ families are accusing police and administration of negligence regarding vehicle access and safety.
Among those who lost their lives were two sons and a younger brother of Vidyaram Tyagi, who had come to the temple to offer prayers. Seeking justice, Tyagi questioned how a truck was allowed into an area where even two-wheelers were reportedly restricted.
“My two sons and my brother are gone. I want justice. When even two-wheelers were not being allowed in the area, how was a truck allowed?” he asked.
Truck Crashes Into Devotees At Temple Gate
The accident took place around 1:30 am on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. A paddy-laden truck coming from the Chinor side reportedly lost control while descending a slope, broke through police barricades and hit devotees and prasad stalls before crashing into the temple’s entrance gate.
Police said the truck driver claimed that brake failure caused the accident. However, Tyagi blamed the administration for failing to protect devotees.
“We want people responsible to be held accountable,” he said.
Newly Married Man Among The Victims
Kiran Parihar, whose 23-year-old son Gaurav Parihar died in the accident, also held the police responsible. Gaurav, from Badagaon Khureri, had married just four months earlier.
“The police killed my son. Where was police security when an out-of-control truck overturned onto my son at midnight? Even after the accident, no help came,” she said.
Gaurav’s 15-year-old brother, Saurabh Parihar, said he witnessed the truck hit his sister, brother and friend. He alleged that rescue efforts were delayed and claimed he paid ₹800 to hire a crane to retrieve his siblings’ bodies.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaotic Rescue
Eyewitness Kinal Chauhan said the truck struck the crowd within seconds. He and others tried to free trapped devotees using a jack and removing a truck tyre. He said between 50 and 60 people were trapped when a wall collapsed.
Meanwhile, Savitri Kushwaha described the panic after her group could not find Divyansh, her sister-in-law’s son, following prayers. The family searched for him before eventually finding their relatives alive.
The tragedy has raised serious questions about crowd safety, vehicle restrictions and emergency response arrangements at the temple during the Saptami festivities.
