Rajkot: At least 24 persons including children were killed in a massive fire that broke out at a game zone in Gujarat's Rajkot city on Saturday.
According to reports, the blaze erupted at a temporary structure at TRP game zone in the afternoon. The blaze has been brought under control, but rescue operations are underway. It is understood, children were present at the spot in large numbers due to ongoing summer vacation.
Raju Bhargava, Police Commissioner of Rajkot said: "We are trying to retrieve as many bodies as possible." The Commissioner said the owner of the game zone, Yuvraj Singh Solanki, will be booked for negligence.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tweeted that the city administration has been instructed to carry out immediate rescue and relief operations at the game zone.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief at the loss of lives in the tragedy. "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," the President posted on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "The fire tragedy in Rajkot has saddened us all. In my telephone conversation with him a short while ago, Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel Ji told me about the efforts underway to ensure all possible assistance is provided to those who have been affected."
