Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 18 (ANI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday expressed grief over the deaths of devotees in a truck accident near Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, and sought immediate compensation for the victims' families, while raising concerns over crowd management and accountability.
In a post shared on X, Kharge said, “The news of the deaths of devotees caught in the path of an uncontrolled truck near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, is extremely heartbreaking and soul-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the families of those who lost their lives in this horrific accident. I pray to God for the swift recovery of the injured.”
"I expect the state government to ensure prompt medical facilities for the injured, immediate appropriate compensation and all possible assistance for the affected families," he added.
Raising questions over crowd management, the Congress president said, "Such accidents raise serious questions about crowd management, and the government and administration must be held accountable."
मध्य प्रदेश के ग्वालियर में शीतला माता मंदिर के निकट अनियंत्रित ट्रक की चपेट में आने से श्रद्धालुओं की मृत्यु का समाचार अत्यंत दुखद एवं हृदयविदारक है। इस भीषण हादसे में जान गँवाने वाले लोगों के परिजनों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएँ हैं। ईश्वर से घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की प्रार्थना करता हूँ। राज्य सरकार से अपेक्षा है कि घायलों को त्वरित चिकित्सा सुविधा, पीड़ित परिवारों को तत्काल उचित मुआवज़ा तथा हरसंभव सहायता सुनिश्चित करे। ऐसे हादसे भीड़ प्रबंधन पर सवाल खड़े करते हैं, सरकार और प्रशासन की जवाबदेही तय होनी चाहिए।
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 18, 2026
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief over the deaths of devotees in the accident and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “The news of the deaths of several devotees in a horrific accident caused by an out-of-control truck near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, is extremely heartbreaking.”
“I express my deepest condolences to the grieving families who have lost their loved ones in this accident. I stand with them in this hour of sorrow. I hope for the swift recovery of the injured,” he added.
ग्वालियर, मध्यप्रदेश में शीतला माता मंदिर के पास एक बेकाबू ट्रक द्वारा हुए भीषण हादसे में कई श्रद्धालुओं की मृत्यु की खबर बेहद दुखद है। इस दुर्घटना में अपने प्रियजनों को खोने वाले शोकाकुल परिवारों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं। दुख की इस घड़ी में उनके साथ हूं। घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की आशा करता हूं।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 18, 2026
The death toll in the accident rose to 14 on Sunday, according to Gwalior Collector Ruchika Chauhan. The accident occurred around 1.30 am when a truck loaded with paddy reportedly lost control while descending a steep slope and crashed into devotees gathered near Sheetla Mata Temple.
According to Gwalior Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh, 39 people were taken to hospital following the accident, including two police personnel who were on duty at the spot.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the families of each deceased person, Rs 2 lakh to each seriously injured person and Rs 50,000 to other injured people. He also said that all injured victims would receive free treatment.
Madhya Pradesh Minister Rakesh Shukla visited the trauma centre in Gwalior to meet the injured and said the Chief Minister was closely monitoring the situation.
“The Chief Minister is closely monitoring. The government is ensuring proper treatment for the injured. A detailed investigation is under way, and action will be taken against those found responsible,” Shukla told ANI.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
The accident has also triggered anger among victims' families, who alleged police negligence and delays in rescue efforts. The district administration has initiated an investigation into the circumstances of the accident, including how the truck crossed the barricades and police checkpoint installed on the road during Navratri. (ANI)
