In a tragic turn of events in Gujarat's Rajkot city on Saturday at least 27 persons including children were killed in a massive fire that broke out at a game zone, according to the initial report by the officials. Rescue operations are underway at the affected TRP game zone for more than four hours after the blaze erupted at a fibre dome constructed for gaming activities at around 4:30 pm, officials said.
"So far we have confirmed the death of 27 persons in the fire incident. The bodies are charred beyond recognition and hence their identification is difficult," said Assistant Commissioner of Police Radhika Bharai.
ACP Vinayak Patel said the deceased included at least four children under the age of 12. The death toll is likely to increase as relief operations is going on, district officials said.
According to eyewitnesses, several people, including children were playing games at the game zone, located on Nana-Mava Road, when the tragedy struck.
Police said that the owner and manager of the game zone were detained and taken to the police station for questioning.
The government has handed over the investigation of the incident to a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional Director General of Police Subhash Trivedi.
Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi said the Fire Control Room received a call at around 4:30 pm regarding the blaze at the game zone.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured in the tragedy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the loss of lives in a fire tragedy in Gujarat's Rajkot and said the local administration is working to provide all possible assistance to those affected.
PM Modi said on X, "Extremely distressed by the fire mishap in Rajkot. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured. The local administration is working to provide all possible assistance to those affected." Rescue operations are underway at the affected TRP game zone and officials feared the count of casualties may go up as several children were present at the spot due to the ongoing summer vacation and weekend.
Earlier, Raju Bhargava, Police Commissioner, Rajkot, said, "Fire broke out in the TRP gaming zone in the afternoon. The rescue operations are on. The fire is under control. We are trying to retrieve as many bodies as possible. As of now, around 20 bodies have been recovered and they have been sent to the hospital for further investigation. Investigations will be carried out. The gaming zone is owned by a person called Yuvraj Singh Solanki. We will be registering an offence for negligence and the deaths which have occurred. The further investigation will take place once we complete the rescue operations here."
After the fire broke out, Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargav told media persons that the cause of the blaze would be investigated and that a message had been issued to all the gaming zones in the city to close operations.
On Rajkot fire incident, Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi said, "We had received the call at around 4.30 pm.The temporary structure in the gaming zone had collapsed. The fire was controlled around 2 hours ago. The debris is being removed. We are in constant touch with the CM.
"I am deeply anguished to learn of the loss of lives in a fire accident at a gaming zone in Rajkot, Gujarat. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their near and dear ones including young children. I pray to the Almighty for the speedy recovery of those being rescued," posts President Droupadi Murmu
Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, "I am deeply saddened by the accident that happened in the game zone of Rajkot (Gujarat). I have spoken to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and got information regarding this accident. The administration is making every possible effort for relief and rescue work and is providing treatment to the injured. I express my deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this tragic accident and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured."
EAM Dr S Jaishankar tweeted, "Deeply grieved at the loss of lives in the terrible fire in Rajkot. Our thoughts are very much with all those impacted by this tragedy."
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tweeted that the city administration has been instructed to carry out immediate rescue and relief operations at the game zone.
"Instructions have been given to the Municipal Corporation and the administration for immediate rescue and relief operations in the fire incident in the game zone in Rajkot. It has been instructed to prioritise arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured," Patel tweeted.
"I am deeply saddened with the fire that broke out at the game zone in Rajkot. Several people were charred to death and it is going to be difficult to conduct the DNA test. What is happening in Gujarat? These kinds of incidents regularly happen in the state, but the (Gujarat) government is not worried about the lives of the people," said Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil.
The blaze erupted at a temporary structure at the TRP game zone, and among the victims were children who were present at the spot in large numbers due to ongoing summer vacation.
*With Agency Inputs
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