A devastating fire broke out on Saturday at an amusement park in Rajkot, a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people. Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava confirmed that the blaze was brought under control and that a rescue operation was underway, with 20 bodies recovered so far.
The park, a popular destination especially busy on weekends with families enjoying the school summer vacation, became the site of chaos and tragedy as the fire engulfed its facilities. Video footage showed firefighters working to clear debris around the collapsed tin roof structures, which were reportedly used for attractions such as bowling, go-karting, and trampolines.
The privately owned amusement park, run by Yuvraj Singh Solanki, is now the subject of a police investigation. Bhargava announced that a case of negligence would be filed against Solanki, emphasizing that the investigation would intensify once the rescue operations concluded.
“We will be registering an offence for negligence and the deaths that have occurred. Further investigation will take place once we complete the rescue operation,” Bhargava stated.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow on the social media platform X, saying, “Extremely distressed by the fire in Rajkot. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured.”
Fires are unfortunately common in India, often due to the widespread flouting of building laws and safety regulations. This tragic incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety codes to prevent such disasters in the future.
