Thirteen people were killed and nearly 40 injured on Sunday when a truck crashed into devotees waiting near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over loss of lives in the mishap.
President Murmu expressed sorrow over the deaths and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
“The news of the loss of lives in a road accident in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, is saddening. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” she said on X.
Vice President Radhakrishnan also expressed grief over the accident involving devotees, offering heartfelt condolences and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
PM Modi announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 to each injured person.
“Distressed to learn about the loss of lives due to a mishap in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said in a post on X.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav separately announced state assistance of ₹4 lakh for the family of each deceased, ₹2 lakh for each seriously injured person and ₹50,000 for each of the other injured persons. All injured people would receive free treatment, he said.
The affected families were from Gwalior, Shivpuri and Sheopur, CM Yadav said, adding that he had directed state ministers Aidal Singh Kansana and Rakesh Shukla to reach Gwalior.
“In this hour of grief, the state government stands with all affected families,” the Chief Minister said.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said he was in constant contact with the Madhya Pradesh government and the minister in charge. He noted that instructions had been issued to provide financial assistance and ensure free treatment for the injured.
Describing the accident as deeply distressing and heartbreaking, Scindia prayed for strength for the bereaved families and the recovery of those injured.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also expressed sorrow over the deaths of devotees after being hit by an out-of-control truck near the temple. He offered prayers for the departed, strength for their families and a speedy recovery for the injured.
