By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
At least 12 people were killed and 29 injured after a truck loaded with paddy ran over devotees near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in the early hours of Sunday.
The accident occurred around 1.30 am when a truck coming from the Chhinor side reportedly broke through police barricades on a steep road, lost control and ploughed into devotees gathered near the temple. The vehicle crashed into the temple’s entrance gate and outer wall, causing part of the structure to collapse, according to reports.
The devotees were on their way to the temple during the Navratri festivities when the tragedy struck. The injured were rushed to hospitals in Gwalior for treatment. Five to six of them were reported to be in critical condition. Two police personnel on duty at the spot were also injured.
Gwalior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh said a preliminary investigation indicated that a mechanical failure may have caused the driver to lose control of the truck.
The incident has raised questions about how a heavy vehicle managed to pass through the barricades and enter a road where heavy traffic was restricted because of the steep slope and the large number of pilgrims visiting the temple.
District authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the accident. A team from the Regional Transport Office is expected to examine the truck to establish the cause of the crash.