Out-of-control truck kills 13 at Hindu festival in India

Outside of this temple in Gwalior, scenes of chaos. Frantic worshippers gather around a heavy-loaded truck after it ploughed into a crowd of devotees. India's president, Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences on social media. The news of the deaths of people in a road accident in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, is heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. The crash happened in the early hours of Sunday as worshippers gathered for the Hindu festival of Navratri. The truck struck the crowd before crashing into a temple wall, leaving people trapped beneath the rubble. As the injured were carried to ambulances, panicked relatives searched for loved ones. At the hospital, doctors assessed the injuries and began treatment. All the patients are undergoing tests, including CT scans. Once the tests are completed, we will better understand their condition. Everyone is receiving treatment. Deadly road crashes are common in India. According to official data, the country recorded more than 183,000 road traffic deaths in 2025, averaging over 500 a day. Many are linked to inadequate infrastructure, poorly maintained vehicles and driver exhaustion.