Fire at an amusement park in India leaves at least 27 dead; there are several children

What would have been a day of laughter and happiness ended in one of the worst tragedies, after at least 27 people, most of them children, died. after a large fire at an amusement park in western India.

The fire occurred on Saturday afternoon, when the game room was full of children and young people in the city park of Rajkot, in the state of Gujarat.

More than 300 people were in a two-story structure in the park when the fire broke out, as it was a summer vacation weekend, Rajkot fire officer Ilesh Kher told reporters.

According to authorities, people were trapped when a temporary structure at the facility collapsed near the entrance, making exit difficult.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said a “special investigation team” had been assigned.

“The fire is under control. We are trying to recover as many bodies as possible. Until now, Around 25 bodies have been recovered and sent to hospital for further investigation,” Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava said in a media statement. “Vapors are still emanating from the rubble and we fear more people may be trapped underneath,” he added.

For his part, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “extremely distressed” by the fire in Rajkot and said his thoughts were with those who had lost loved ones and assured that local authorities are doing their best. possible care for the injured and the families of the victims.

Footage showed firefighters clearing debris around collapsed roof structures that media reports said were used for bowling, go-karting and trampoline attractions.

Fire department officials said a short circuit was suspected to be the cause. and police at the scene said the bodies of the dead were badly burned, making identification difficult.

Fires are common in India due to poor construction practicesovercrowding and failure to comply with safety regulations.

In February, 11 people died in a fire that devastated a paint factory in the capital, New Delhi.

In 2022, at least 27 people were killed and dozens more injured after a large fire broke out in a four-story commercial building in the city.

In 2016, more than 100 people died after a large explosion during a banned fireworks display in the southern state of Kerala.

*With information from DW and BBC Mundo.

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