Out-of-control truck kills 13 at religious festival in India's Madhya Pradesh

A speeding truck collided with a gathering of worshippers at a Hindu religious festival in Madhya Pradesh, India, resulting in the tragic deaths of 13 people, officials reported on Sunday. President Droupadi Murmu expressed her deepest condolences to the bereaved families, saying the deaths were "heartbreaking." The pressurized truck, reportedly heavily loaded, lost control early Sunday and struck the devotees assembled at a temple in Gwalior, a city in the central state.

Hospital officials confirmed the fatalities to the Press Trust of India (PTI). Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan also voiced his sorrow over the loss of life, promising his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. This incident occurred just a day after at least 17 people were killed and two dozen more injured in eastern India following a stampede during a similar religious gathering that may have been triggered by sudden rainfall.

India, home to 1.4 billion people, recorded more than 183,000 road traffic deaths in 2025, averaging over 500 fatalities daily, according to the roads ministry. Many of these fatalities are attributed to poor road infrastructure, poorly maintained vehicles, and fatigued drivers, according to official data.