Truck hits devotees near Gwalior temple early Sunday, killing 14, officials say
A truck hit devotees walking to a temple in Gwalior, India, early Sunday, killing 14 people, the district's top official and a senior police officer said. Hindustan Times and India Today had reported 15 deaths, and The Indian Express 12. Heavy trucks had been barred from the road during a festival.
A truck loaded with paddy, or unhusked rice, hit devotees walking to the Sheetla Mata temple in Gwalior, in India's Madhya Pradesh state, early Sunday local time, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express and India Today reported. It happened at about 1:30 in the morning, the outlets reported.
Heavy vehicles were barred from the downhill road to the temple during the Navratri festival, The Indian Express and India Today reported. The truck broke through police barricades and hit devotees before crashing into the temple's gate, Hindustan Times and India Today reported.
The death toll differs by source. District Collector Ruchika Chauhan said 14 people had died, including two women, two children and 10 men, the ANI news agency reported. The acting police inspector general for the Gwalior range, Asit Yadav, said 14 people were killed and 28 hurt, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. Earlier, Hindustan Times reported 15 deaths and 27 injured, citing police. India Today reported 15 deaths and 33 injured, citing a senior police official. The Indian Express reported 12 deaths and 29 injured, citing a senior police officer. Two police officers on duty were among the injured, The Indian Express and India Today reported.
A preliminary investigation suggested a mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control, police said, according to Hindustan Times. The truck's owner and driver have been arrested, Hindustan Times reported. Officials are investigating how the truck got onto the restricted road, and a transport team is examining the vehicle, The Indian Express and India Today reported. District Collector Ruchika Chauhan said the matter would be investigated, India Today reported.
Relatives of victims were angry at the police, The Indian Express and India Today reported. "Not even a cycle is allowed to pass through here, how did a truck gain entry?" said a man whose aunt was killed, according to The Indian Express.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced 200,000 rupees for the family of each person killed and 50,000 rupees for each injured person, Hindustan Times and India Today reported. State Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced 400,000 rupees for each family of those killed, The Indian Express reported.
What we know: A truck hit devotees near the temple early Sunday, killing 14 people, officials said.
What we don't: The final death toll, and how the truck got past the barricades.
Where outlets agree Hindustan Times, The Indian Express and India Today report that a paddy-laden truck hit devotees heading to the temple in Gwalior at about 1:30 in the morning Sunday local time.
Where they differ Hindustan Times and India Today report 15 deaths and The Indian Express reports 12, while the district collector and a senior police officer later put the toll at 14.