A devastating fire broke out at a gaming zone in Rajkot on Saturday, resulting in the tragic deaths of 27 people, including nine children. Several others sustained injuries in the blaze that engulfed the TRP game zone.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the incident. "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," he posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
In response to the tragedy, the owner and manager of the gaming zone have been detained by the authorities. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vinayak Patel noted the grim challenge of identifying the victims due to the severe burns. "The bodies are completely charred and it is difficult to identify them," he said.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi visited the fire site in the early hours of Sunday, revealing that one person remains unaccounted for. "As per the information we have, one person is still missing and it is our responsibility to look for the person. We are deploying maximum teams for that," Sanghvi stated. He immediately ordered a meeting with officials from departments responsible for the construction of the gaming zone at 3 am to address the situation.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to investigate the fire and will scrutinize the responsibilities of the departments involved in the construction of the gaming zone. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel is also expected to visit the site today.
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya announced that 30 ICU beds have been readied at AIIMS Rajkot to treat the injured. "Along with this, instructions have also been given to AIIMS to provide full help," he said.
Fire officials have yet to determine the cause of the blaze. In the aftermath, Gujarat Police have directed senior officers to inspect all gaming zones in the state and shut down those operating without fire safety permissions.
The community in Rajkot is reeling from the incident, with local authorities and national leaders emphasizing their commitment to supporting the affected families and ensuring rigorous safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.