Firefighters douse a fire that broke out in a gaming zone, in Rajkot, Saturday, May 25, 2024. At least 16 persons were killed and several others injured in the massive fire. (PTI Photo)
An FIR has been registered in the incident. Rajkot Game Zone manager Nitin Jain and Game Zone partner Yuvraj Singh Solanki have been detained by the police
At least twenty seven people were killed after a massive fire broke out at a gaming zone in Gujarat’s Rajkot city on Saturday evening.
An FIR has been registered in the incident. Rajkot Game Zone manager Nitin Jain and Game Zone partner Yuvraj Singh Solanki have been detained by the police
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has also ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to be formed and assigned in order to investigate the entire incident.
Speaking to the media, Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargav said, “Fire broke out in the TRP gaming zone in the afternoon. The rescue operations are on. The fire is under control. We are trying to retrieve as many bodies as possible.”
Speaking on the incident, Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi said, “We had received the call at around 4.30 pm… The temporary structure in the gaming zone had collapsed. The fire was controlled around 2 hours ago. The debris is being removed… We are in constant touch with the CM.”
Meanwhile, Gujarat DGP directed inspection of all children game zones across the state. All zones operating without valid fire NOC and fire safety equipment have been ordered to be shut immediately, amidst allegations that the TRP gaming zone in Rajkot did not have fire NOC.
PM Modi, Gujarat CM Patel Express Concern
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and expressed his distress on the unfortunate incident. Taking to his official account, he said, “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.”
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel took to X and said that the city administration has been instructed to carry out immediate rescue and relief operations at the game zone.
“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 been instructed to prioritise arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured,” Patel wrote on X.
In a separate post, CM Patel also expressed his condolences and wrote, “The fire tragedy in Rajkot is heart-wrenching. I express my heartfelt condolences to the persons who lost their lives in this incident and their families. I pray to God for speedy recovery of the injured. The state government will provide Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand to the injured.”
“It is very important to ensure that such an incident does not happen again. Any kind of negligence will not be entertained in this event. In this regard, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed and assigned to investigate the entire incident,” he added.
State Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi also reacted to the incident and said, “Many families have lost their children in this incident… I am going to Rajkot right now. The SIT will start its investigation tonight. The administrator and the manager have been arrested. A meeting will take place after visiting the fire spot and the action will start tonight. PM Modi has also taken the details from the CM…Members of the SIT are ordered to reach Rajokto by 3 am… The CM will be provided with the details tonight itself.”
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