Out-of-control truck kills 13 at Hindu festival in India
Summary
A speeding truck killed 13 people and injured others at a Hindu festival in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in the early hours of Sunday. The heavily loaded vehicle reportedly lost control and struck devotees gathered at a temple. President Droupadi Murmu called the deaths heartbreaking and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
Key Facts
- The Press Trust of India cited hospital officials as saying that 13 people had died.
- President Droupadi Murmu said she prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.
- India recorded more than 183,000 road traffic deaths in 2025, according to the roads ministry.
- Official data links many Indian road deaths to inadequate infrastructure, poorly maintained vehicles and exhausted drivers.
The damaged front body of the truck that lost control and ran over people causing multiple casualties, in Gwalior, India, Oct. 18, in this screengrab taken from a handout video. Reuters-Yonhap
NEW DELHI, India — A speeding truck in India killed 13 people when it ploughed into a crowd at a Hindu festival, officials said on Sunday, with President Droupadi Murmu describing the deaths as "heartbreaking."
The heavily loaded truck reportedly lost control in the early hours of Sunday and hit devotees gathered at a temple in Gwalior, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.
The Press Trust of India news agency cited hospital officials as saying 13 people had died.
"I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of those injured," Murmu said on social media.
India, with 1.4 billion people, recorded more than 183,000 road traffic deaths in 2025, or over 500 a day, according to the roads ministry.
Many are linked to inadequate road infrastructure, ill-maintained vehicles and exhausted drivers, according to official data.
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