At least 22 people, including children, lost their lives as a massive fire broke out at a gaming zone in Gujarat's Rajkot city on Saturday evening. Efforts are still on to rescue those trapped inside.
According to reports, the temporary structure at the TRP game zone came crashing down, making it difficult for fire department officials to carry out the dousing operation.
"So far we have confirmed the death of 22 persons in the fire incident. The bodies are completely charred and it is difficult to identify them," said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vinayak Patel.
The reason for the fire is yet to be ascertained. Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargav said the fire has been brought under control, but the effort to rescue those trapped inside is still on.
He said the gaming zone is owned by a person called Yuvraj Singh Solanki and that a case has been filed against him.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives in the fire accident.
"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," Modi said.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said instructions have been given to the Municipal Corporation and the administration for immediate rescue and relief operations.
“It has also instructed to prioritize arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured,” he wrote on X.
The state government has assigned the investigation to a Special Investigation Team (SIT). It has also announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to each injured.
