A truck loaded with paddy ploughed into a crowd of Hindu devotees near a temple in central India early Sunday, killing 13 people and injuring nearly 40 others, officials said, as authorities launched an investigation into how the vehicle entered a road restricted to heavy traffic.

The accident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. near Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, when the truck reportedly lost control while descending a steep road and struck devotees gathered along the roadside.

The vehicle then crashed into the temple’s entrance gate and outer wall, damaging the structure and trapping some people beneath debris, according to local reports.

Gwalior police said the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, with several in critical condition. Two police personnel were also among those reported injured.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu described the deaths as “heartbreaking” and expressed condolences to the bereaved families, praying for the swift recovery of those injured.

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan also expressed sorrow over the loss of life and extended his condolences to the victims’ families.

Preliminary reports indicated that the truck was travelling from the Chhinor direction when it lost control on a steep stretch where heavy vehicles are restricted because of the large number of pilgrims visiting the temple during the Hindu festival period.

Authorities are investigating how the truck reportedly passed police barricades and a checkpoint before reaching the crowd.

A team from the Regional Transport Office has been tasked with inspecting the vehicle to determine whether a mechanical fault contributed to the crash. Officials have not yet established the definitive cause.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced compensation of 400,000 rupees for each family of the deceased, 200,000 rupees for those seriously injured and 50,000 rupees for other injured people.

The Gwalior crash came a day after at least 17 people were killed and around 25 injured in a stampede during a Hindu religious gathering in eastern India. Officials said sudden rainfall may have contributed to the incident.

The two tragedies have renewed concerns about crowd safety and emergency arrangements at large religious gatherings.

India recorded more than 183,000 road traffic deaths in 2025, according to figures cited by the country's roads ministry, equivalent to more than 500 deaths a day.

Official data and road safety assessments have linked the country's high road death toll to factors including inadequate infrastructure, poorly maintained vehicles and driver fatigue.

The investigation into the crash is continuing. (ILKHA)