Truck crash at Gwalior temple fair kills 15, injures 26 after brake failure

Around 1.30 am on Sunday, a truck loaded with paddy from Debra Mandi crashed into a crowd of worshippers at the Sheetla Mata Temple fair in Gwalior, resulting in at least 15 deaths and 26 injuries, including two police personnel. CSP Ravi Bhadoria indicated that the driver and owner, unfamiliar with the locality, likely consulted Google Maps and took a shortcut that led them onto a road not intended for heavy vehicles.

The vehicle's brakes failed before reaching the temple, causing it to roll down a slope and strike the crowd. Although parking arrangements, checkpoints and barricades were in place, senior officials have ordered an investigation into how the truck accessed the restricted stretch. The state government has suspended eight police officers for alleged negligence and removed CSP Ravi Bhadoria from his post.

The truck's owner, Mohit Singh, and driver, Dilbag Singh, have been arrested and are being questioned. Compensation packages have been announced for the victims' families and the injured.