A major fire erupted Saturday at an amusement park in Rajkot, Gujarat state, western India, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people, including several children, according to police and media reports.
The blaze broke out at the park, leading to a rescue operation that brought the fire under control, stated Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava.
Police officer Vinayak Patel noted the difficulty in identifying the bodies. Authorities have detained the park’s owner, Yuvraj Singh Solanki, and its manager for questioning as the investigation into the cause of the fire begins.
“So far we have confirmed the death of 27 persons in the fire incident,” Patel said, according to the Press Trust of India. The victims included four children under the age of 12.
The park, a popular weekend destination for families during the school summer vacation, saw significant destruction. Footage showed firefighters clearing debris from collapsed tin roof structures reportedly used for bowling, go-carting, and trampoline attractions.
Police will be filing a case of negligence against Solanki, Bhargava confirmed, stating, “We will be registering an offense for negligence and the deaths which have occurred.
Further investigation will take place once we complete the rescue operation.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the incident on X, extending his condolences to those affected and prayers for the injured.
Fires are frequent in India due to widespread non-compliance with building laws and safety regulations.