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Fatal vehicle accidents involving pilgrims in India

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2026-10-18 11:03 UTC → 2026-10-18 12:26 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Two separate incidents involving pilgrims traveling to religious sites resulted in fatalities in late 2026. In September, eight people, including children and women, died in Madhya Pradesh when their vehicle was swept away by strong currents in a seasonal drain near the Maa Baglamukhi Temple. The victims were reportedly residents of Odisha traveling to the temple. The incident led to local protests demanding improved safety infrastructure, such as railings and higher bridges. In October, a minibus carrying passengers from Bhopal and Betul to the Khatu Shyam Ji temple plunged into a 15-to-20-foot-deep drain on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Kota, Rajasthan. The accident occurred early Saturday morning near the Karadiya interchange in the Simliya police station area, resulting in at least eight deaths and leaving approximately 15 to 17 people injured. Preliminary investigations suggest the driver may have dozed off, causing the vehicle to lose control, break through a divider, and fall from a bridge. Rescue operations were complicated by mud and water accumulation, necessitating the use of cranes. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced financial assistance of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited the hospital to check on the injured and directed officials to ensure high-quality medical treatment. In a separate incident in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, a truck carrying paddy lost control on a slope near the Sheetla Mata Temple during Navratri celebrations. The vehicle struck devotees waiting near the shrine and crashed into the temple’s outer wall and nearby shops. This accident resulted in at least 12 to 15 deaths and left dozens injured, including two police personnel. Authorities are investigating how the heavy vehicle breached a checkpoint on a route typically restricted to such traffic during the festival.

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