Tragedy Strikes Amusement Park in Rajkot, India: 27 Killed in Massive Fire

Tragedy Strikes as Fire at Amusement Park in India Claims 27 Lives

RAJKOT, India (AP) — A devastating fire at an amusement park in the city of Rajkot in western India has left 27 people dead, including children, during a busy weekend coinciding with schools’ summer vacation in the state. The incident has left families devastated and authorities scrambling to piece together the events that led to the tragic loss of life.

Giriraj Singh, a retired army officer, waited for hours on Sunday to recover the body of his 24-year-old nephew, only to be told that the remains were “burned beyond recognition.” Singh expressed his frustration to The Associated Press, stating that authorities had asked him to wait for DNA tests to identify the victims.

Local police officer Raju Bhargav revealed that the owner of the amusement park, Yuvraj Singh Solanki, had operated the two-storey facility without proper authorization from the fire department. Solanki and the park manager have since been arrested and charged with negligence that led to the deaths of those caught in the blaze.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with initial reports suggesting that ongoing construction work and a spark from a welding machine may have ignited the flames. Panicked visitors reportedly struggled to escape as the narrow gates at the park impeded their exit, leading to further chaos and tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the incident, offering prayers for the victims and their families. Fires are unfortunately common in India, with safety regulations often overlooked in favor of cost-cutting measures. The tragic incident at the amusement park serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols to prevent such devastating losses of life.