A tragic accident on the Sheetla Mata highway in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, has resulted in the deaths of four Kanwar pilgrims and injuries to several others. The incident occurred late Tuesday night when a speeding car hit a group of Kanwariyas who were returning with holy Ganga water.

According to police reports, the victims were residents of Sidhauna village. The family members of the deceased stated that there were 13 people in their group, out of which six sustained injuries and four died. They reported that a vehicle approached at high speed, and a tire burst, causing the driver to lose control and collide with the pilgrims who were walking on the roadside. The car reportedly swerved off the road and fell into a ravine after hitting the pilgrims. The accident occurred around 1 am between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Gwalior's chief superintendent of police, Hina Khan, confirmed the details of the incident. Upon arriving at the scene, police found that three people had already died. Three others who were critically injured were taken to JH Hospital for treatment, where one more person succumbed to their injuries.

Following the accident, fellow pilgrims staged a protest and blocked the road. Police rushed to the spot to manage the situation and shift the injured to JAH Hospital, where they are receiving treatment.

Police have seized the vehicle involved in the accident and are investigating the matter. "The complete information about the vehicle is being collected, and we have also identified the owner. However, we have not found anyone yet," Khan stated. According to police, the car was traveling at approximately 140 kilometers per hour when the tire burst, causing the driver to lose control.

The deceased have been identified as Pooran, Ramesh, Dinesh, and Dharmendra, all belonging to the same family from Chak village in Simaria. The injured, Hargevind and Prahlad, are currently undergoing treatment at Janarogya Hospital.

This unfortunate event highlights the dangers faced by pilgrims on the road and raises concerns about road safety measures. Authorities are urged to take strict action against reckless driving and ensure better enforcement of traffic rules to prevent such tragedies in the future.