Car Plows Into Ambaji Pilgrims in Himmatnagar; Angry Crowd Sets Vehicle Ablaze

A speeding car struck a group of pilgrims walking along a four-lane highway in Gujarat's Himmatnagar on Monday, injuring five to seven people and triggering anger that saw the vehicle set alight, officials and eyewitness accounts indicate.

The collision occurred near the Dolgarh-Patiya highway intersection, a stretch used by devotees travelling on foot toward the Ambaji temple. The injured were among the lakhs of pilgrims who undertake the journey across Gujarat each year; the shrine is expected to draw around 40 lakh visitors this season.

According to available accounts, the driver attempted to leave the scene immediately after the crash but was intercepted by a crowd of onlookers. The group then set the car on fire, and visuals from the area showed the vehicle engulfed in flames with thick smoke rising over the highway.

The condition of those hurt has not yet been confirmed, and authorities have not released details on the extent of damage or any fatalities.

Police teams from nearby districts were mobilised to the spot, where a heavy deployment was visible as officers worked to bring the situation under control and begin an investigation.

Residents and pilgrims have repeatedly flagged concerns about speeding and reckless driving on the route, saying the problem persists despite warning signs and public notices issued earlier by the local administration.