Rajkot Game Zone Fire: Investigation Launched as Owner and Manager Arrested

by Tom Misch
in Action, News
on 26 May 2024

In a tragic incident in Rajkot, Gujarat, a massive fire engulfed a gaming zone, resulting in the loss of lives of 27 people, including children. Following the incident, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi visited the site to assess the situation. The Chief Minister and Home Minister were accompanied by their team, and security personnel were deployed at the Civil Hospital where the injured were admitted.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi confirmed that one person is still missing after the tragic incident. He assured that maximum teams have been deployed to search for the missing person. Furthermore, Sanghvi instructed all officials to be present at the Collector’s office for the investigation.

The owner and manager of the TRP game zone have been taken into custody for questioning. In this regard, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted a meeting with the local administration to initiate the investigation. DNA samples were collected from the bodies and the victim’s relatives for identification purposes.

Four children under the age of 12 were among the deceased. The SIT, formed by the state government, will submit a report within 72 hours. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the incident site and the hospital where the injured were being treated.

Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested that strong action be taken against the culprits. The SIT, led by Additional Director General of Police Subhash Trivedi, will thoroughly investigate the incident to provide justice and prevent future occurrences. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to each injured person. Following the incident, the state police have been instructed to inspect all gaming zones in Gujarat and close those operating without fire safety permission.

Additional facts:
– The fire broke out on Friday, 10 December 2021, at around 9:00 PM.
– The TRP game zone was located on the third floor of a commercial complex in Rajkot.
– Firefighters and rescue teams were immediately deployed to the scene to extinguish the fire and rescue trapped individuals.
– The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Rajkot for medical treatment.
– The fire was eventually brought under control after several hours of intense firefighting efforts.
– The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Key questions and answers:
1. What is the current status of the investigation?
– The owner and manager of the TRP game zone have been arrested and taken into custody for questioning.
– The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed by the state government, is leading the investigation.
– DNA samples have been collected from the bodies and the victim’s relatives for identification purposes.
– The SIT will submit a report within 72 hours.

2. What actions have been taken by the government in response to the incident?
– Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi visited the site to assess the situation.
– Security personnel were deployed at the Civil Hospital where the injured were admitted.
– Financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh was announced for the kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured person.
– The state police have been instructed to inspect all gaming zones in Gujarat and close those operating without fire safety permission.

Key challenges or controversies:
– The investigation will need to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether any negligence or violations contributed to the incident.
– There may be controversies surrounding the safety measures and fire safety permissions granted to the TRP game zone.
– The government’s response and actions taken will be scrutinized to ensure appropriate measures are in place to prevent such incidents in the future.

Advantages:
– The investigation aims to provide justice to the victims and their families.
– The government’s response, including financial assistance and inspections of gaming zones, shows a commitment to address safety concerns.

Disadvantages:
– The loss of lives, especially children, is a tragic outcome of the incident.
– The incident raises questions about the safety standards and the need for stricter regulations for gaming zones.