A devastating fire took the lives of at least 28 individuals, including nine children, at the TRP amusement and theme park in Rajkot, Gujarat, India on the evening of Saturday, May 25, 2024. The incident occurred during a holiday weekend with more than 300 visitors present in the two-story building when the fire broke out.
Massive flames and dense smoke rapidly enveloped the game zone, as recounted by eyewitnesses. According to Rajkot fire officer Ilesh Kher, a temporary structure near the entrance collapsed, trapping people inside. The fire, fueled by flammable materials, spread quickly.
Firefighters arrived promptly at the scene, striving to contain the fire. Despite their efforts, the building was consumed by the flames. At the local civil hospital, a police officer reported that the fire was so intense that some of the bodies were unrecognizable.
Rajkot’s Mayor Nayana Pedhadiya confirmed that the death toll might increase. “Our focus is on rescue operations and saving lives. We will ensure strict action against the people responsible for this incident,” Pedhadiya said, as the rescue efforts extended into the night, leaving the local community in shock.
Investigations into the incident pointed to significant negligence on the part of the TRP game zone’s management. The facility had been operating illegally in a residential area for four years without the required No Objection Certificate (NOC). Furthermore, the game zone had expanded by obtaining a ride certificate, thereby avoiding a comprehensive safety inspection. Subhash Trivedi, Chairman of the Special Investigation Team, stated, “This is a very tragic incident, and the guilty will not be spared. Justice will be served to all.”
The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined. Initial reports suggest that sparks from a welding machine may have ignited flammable materials stored on-site, including approximately 528 gallons of petrol, ongoing welding activities, and a large number of tires, all without an appropriate fire NOC. The lack of safety protocol adherence has raised serious concerns about management accountability and regulatory oversight.
“A Special Investigation Team has started investigating the incident,” said Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. He added that several individuals related to the fire incident have been detained by Rajkot police. Patel assured that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent similar future incidents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a native of Gujarat, shared his response to the incident on social media platform X. “Extremely distressed by the fire. The local administration is working to provide all possible assistance to those affected,” he posted. The Prime Minister’s Office also declared ex gratia payments to the families of the deceased and injured from the PM’s National Relief Fund.
The local community, still reeling from the shock, has come together in mourning and demanding justice. One grieving relative of a victim expressed, “We trusted the facility with our lives and the lives of our children. This negligence is unforgivable.”
