At least 24 people, mostly children, were killed in a fire at an amusement park in India on Saturday. The incident occurred at the TRP Gaming Zone in Rajkot, Gujarat state. According to reports from various sources including Agence France-Presse (AFP) and EPA-EFE, the flames spread rapidly due to flammable materials and people were trapped as a temporary structure at the facility collapsed near the entrance. The district collector of Rajkot, Prabhav Joshi, reported that 24 people had died in the inferno and another half-dozen were hospitalized. Four persons associated with the game zone were detained for questioning. More than 300 people were in the two-storey structure at the time of the fire as it was a summer holiday weekend. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but a short-circuit is suspected.
The tragedy comes after another major fire broke out at an amusement park in Rajkot on Saturday, killing at least 27 people and injuring several others. Police have detained the owner and manager of that privately owned park for questioning as they launch an investigation into the cause of that blaze as well.
Fires are common in India due to poor building practices, overcrowding, and a lack of adherence to safety regulations. In recent years, there have been several high-profile fires in the country resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the victims of both fires on social media. He wrote: “Extremely distressed by the fire mishaps in Rajkot. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured.”
The Indian government has been criticized for its handling of safety regulations and negligence in various sectors, including infrastructure and public health. The opposition parties, including the Congress and AAP, have called out previous incidents of negligence in Gujarat state, such as the Morbi bridge collapse, Palanpur bridge incident, Vadodara boat capsize, and Surat building fire.
