Fifteen people were killed in a truck accident near the Sheetla Mata Temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, early on Tuesday, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. when a paddy-laden truck lost control, struck devotees gathered near the temple, and crashed into the temple’s outer wall and gate.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who visited the injured at a local hospital, said 31 people were admitted for treatment, of whom 13 had been discharged. The driver of the truck reportedly breached police barricades and a checkpoint before the crash, raising questions about security measures at the site.

In response to the accident, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav ordered the suspension of eight police officers and personnel and the removal of the Jhansi Road City Superintendent of Police, Ravi Bhadauria, citing alleged negligence. Yadav also called for a thorough investigation into the incident, emphasizing that lapses in public safety would not be tolerated.

Preliminary police reports indicated the truck was transporting paddy from Debra Mandi and that the driver had taken a shorter route based on Google Maps. Authorities said the vehicle’s brakes may have failed while it was descending a steep slope near the temple. Both the truck driver and the vehicle owner have been taken into custody for further questioning.

The Madhya Pradesh government announced compensation amounts of Rs400,000 for the families of those killed, Rs200,000 for seriously injured victims, and Rs50,000 for others injured in the accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced ex-gratia payments of Rs200,000 to each bereaved family and Rs50,000 to the injured.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident and any potential accountability for safety lapses at the scene.