In Ahmedabad, a fire at an amusement park in Rajkot, Gujarat, resulted in 27 deaths, including four children. The incident occurred on Saturday night, forcing survivors to break doors and leap from windows to escape.
Devastation and Response
The blaze erupted in a two-story building at the TRP amusement and theme park, where over 300 visitors were present. The fire spread quickly due to flammable materials in the structure. Emergency responders found bodies covered in white cloths, many too charred to identify. Asha Kathad, 20, was among the missing, with her family anxiously awaiting news outside the wreckage.
Survivor Accounts
Survivors described desperate attempts to flee. One survivor recounted kicking down a tin sheet to escape from the first floor, where about 70 people, including children, were trapped. The facility, which promoted activities like trampolining, go-karting, and bowling on social media, turned into a deadly scene.
Official Actions and Arrests
Rajkot fire officer Ilesh Kher said a collapsed temporary structure near the entrance trapped many inside. The fire spread rapidly due to flammable materials. Local official Prabhav Joshi confirmed the death toll at 27 by Sunday morning. Police arrested two individuals, and forensic teams were collecting DNA samples for victim identification.
Broader Issues and Similar Incidents
Fires in India are often caused by poor building practices and inadequate safety regulations. On the same night, a fire in a newborn baby hospital in New Delhi killed six infants, underscoring the pervasive fire safety issues.
Prime Minister’s Reaction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep distress over the tragedy on social media. Gujarat, his home state, is grieving this significant loss of life.
