Gaming Zone Fire: At Least 33 Including 9 Children Dead In Gujarat’s Rajkot
Rajkot, Gujarat: A devastating fire engulfed a gaming zone in Gujarat”s Rajkot on Saturday evening, claiming the lives of at least 33 people, including 9 children, officials confirmed. According to reports, the casualty is set to increase and reports of many being injured are also being emerging from Rajkot. A massive relief and rescue operation is currently underway, however, according to the rescue team, strong wind in the area is hampering the rescue operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stepped into the electoral politics from Rajkot in 2002, expressed his condolences, stating, “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 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,” he added.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also expressed his condolences and said the news of the death of many people including innocent children is very painful. “I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I hope that all the injured recover as soon as possible. Congress workers are requested to provide all possible assistance to the administration in relief and rescue work. And, it is expected from the Gujarat government and administration that they should conduct a detailed and impartial investigation of this incident and provide speedy justice to all the bereaved families,” he said.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed officials to ensure immediate treatment for 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,” he said.
Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava reported that rescue operations are ongoing, with the fire now 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,” he stated.
Commissioner Bhargava noted that the cause of the fire is still unknown and under 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 informed ANI that the firefighting efforts are being hampered by the collapse of the temporary structure and high wind velocity. “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,” he said.
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He further mentioned, “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.”
