33 Dead in massive fire at gaming zone in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Mangalore Today News Network/NDTV

Rajkot, May 26, 2024: Thirty three people including some children have died in a massive fire that broke out at a gaming zone in Gujarat’s Rajkot on Saturday evening, said officials.

 

"The bodies are completely charred and it is difficult to identify them," Assistant Commissioner of Police Vinayak Patel said. The owners of the gaming zone have been detained by the police.

"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," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

"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," President Droupadi Murmu said.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had instructed officials to prioritize arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured.

"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 also instructed to prioritize arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured," Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said.

"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," Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava said.

"I cannot ascertain the reason behind the fire. It’s a matter of investigation. Rescue operations are underway and several fire engines have been deployed. We will speak to fire brigade officials to discuss what action should be taken," he added.

A fire officer earlier told ANI that, "The reason for the fire is yet to be ascertained. The attempts to douse the fire are underway. We have not received any message of missing persons. We are facing difficulty in the firefighting operation because the temporary structure has collapsed and due to wind velocity.

"We will then be able to find out the exact number of casualties inside the zone (after fire is controlled). We will also investigate the cause of the fire, and a message has been issued to all the gaming zones in the city to shut down," had said.