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A massive fire broke out at a game zone in Gujarat’s Rajkot city resulting in the deaths of 22 people, including children.
The massive fire swept through the TRP game zone teeming with people enjoying a summer vacation outing on Saturday evening, officials said. “We are working to retrieve as many bodies as possible. So far, around 20 bodies have been recovered and sent to the hospital for further investigation. Investigations will be carried out,” authorities stated.
#WATCH | At least 8 killed in massive Rajkot game zone fire; rescue operations underway
For more, follow live updates: https://t.co/BJgPjgBmZo pic.twitter.com/E7FgfBiexC
In a video of the fire, the intense smoke could be seen billowing from a long distance away. Police teams and fire tenders were quickly dispatched to the scene to extinguish the fire. The shopping mall was crowded due to the weekend.
#WATCH | Gujarat: A massive fire breaks out at the TRP game zone in Rajkot. Fire tenders on the spot. Further details awaited. pic.twitter.com/f4AJq8jzxX
— ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2024
“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…,” a fire official at the scene told news agency ANI.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the Rajkot 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 said in a post on social media platform X.
VIDEO | Firefighters douse a fire that broke out at Gaming Zone in Rajkot, Gujarat. More details awaited.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/zUQpKMtrg2
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 25, 2024
Patel also announced that the Gujarat government will provide Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
The CM added that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed and assigned to investigate the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote 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.”
“The bodies are completely charred and it is difficult to identify them,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vinayak Patel.