At least 12 people lost their lives and dozens more were injured after a truck crashed into an area crowded with devotees near a temple in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, police said early Sunday.
The incident occurred in Gwalior when a truck carrying a load of paddy reportedly went out of control while travelling along a steep road.
According to senior police official Dharmveer Singh, the vehicle struck the outer wall and entrance gate of the Sheetla Mata Temple, hitting devotees gathered nearby.
Emergency responders transported 39 injured people to hospital, where 12 were confirmed dead, Singh said.
Local civil official Ruchika Chauhan confirmed that authorities had launched an investigation to establish the circumstances that led to the crash.
Officials have yet to determine what caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.