Tragic Fire at Indian Amusement Park Claims 27 Lives, Mostly Children

Firefighters at the scene in Rajkot in the western state of Gujarat. More than 300 people were in a two-storey structure at the park when the fire started.

At least 27 people, predominantly children, lost their lives after a massive fire erupted at an amusement park in Rajkot, Gujarat, on Saturday. Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava confirmed that the fire, which broke out in a two-storey structure packed with over 300 people during the summer holiday weekend, is now under control and rescue operations are ongoing.

Prabhav Joshi, the district collector of Rajkot, explained that many victims were trapped when a temporary structure near the park's entrance collapsed, complicating evacuation efforts. Footage from the scene shows firefighters clearing debris from collapsed tin-roofed structures, which reportedly housed bowling, go-karting, and trampoline attractions.

Police plan to file a negligence case against the amusement park’s owner, Yuvraj Singh Solanki. "We will be registering an offence for negligence and the deaths which have occurred. Further investigation will take place once we complete the rescue operation," Bhargava stated.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, though initial suspicions point to a short circuit. Fire department officials and police at the site noted that the bodies of the deceased were severely burned, complicating identification efforts.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on X, stating, "Extremely distressed by the fire. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured."

The blaze was extinguished after nearly an hour, with about a dozen ambulances transporting the injured to hospitals. Fires are unfortunately common in India, often due to poor building practices, overcrowding, and inadequate adherence to safety regulations. Recent incidents include a fire in February that killed 11 people at a paint factory in New Delhi, and a 2022 fire in a commercial building that claimed at least 27 lives. In 2016, more than 100 people died in Kerala due to a banned fireworks display explosion.

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent such devastating fires in the future.