The death toll in the Gwalior temple tragedy rose to 16 after a 78-year-old prasad shopkeeper died during treatment, while a 19-year-old woman with multiple fractures and serious abdominal injuries was airlifted to AIIMS Bhopal for specialised care.
Motilal Prajapati, a resident of Sataun village, died at 6.15 am at Link Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment since the October 18 crash. He was among devotees struck by an out-of-control heavy truck near Sheetla Mata Temple during the Navratri fair.
According to the health department, Prajapati developed superficial femoral thrombosis, a blood clot in a blood vessel, after suffering injuries in the accident. He had undergone a heart procedure in 2024 during which a stent was inserted and remained under medical supervision after being admitted to hospital. The chief medical and health officer met Prajapati and his family on Monday evening, the report said.
Prajapati ran a prasad shop near the temple entrance to support his family. His death brought the number of people killed in the crash to 16. At least 57 people were hit when the truck entered the crowd, leaving 41 others injured.
In a separate development, Kalpana Parihar, 19, from Thatipur in Gwalior, was airlifted to AIIMS Bhopal at 10.30 am. She suffered fractures in both legs and serious abdominal injuries in the crash. She became the second patient transferred to the institute for advanced treatment.
Sanjay Sharma, 36, was the first injured person shifted to AIIMS Bhopal. He was moved shortly after midnight on October 19 after suffering serious fractures in his hands and legs. The transfers were arranged through coordination between the Gwalior district administration and the health department under the supervision of Gwalior collector Ruchika Chauhan.
Officials said the injured patients were shifted for specialised treatment under the supervision of medical experts. The health department’s intervention has focused on moving patients requiring advanced care from Gwalior to a tertiary medical facility in Bhopal.
The crash occurred around 1.30 am on October 18, when the truck ploughed into devotees gathered for the Navratri fair near the temple. The incident has raised questions over how a heavy vehicle was allowed to enter a route that was reportedly restricted during the festival, when large crowds had gathered around the temple premises.
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident and taken action against police personnel over alleged negligence. The inquiry and the administrative response will determine how vehicle restrictions, crowd management and enforcement were handled at the fair. Authorities have not indicated a final timeline for the inquiry in the supplied report.
