A terrible incident happened when a huge fire broke out at the TRP Game Zone in Rajkot, Gujarat, on May 25, 2024.
The fire and its immediate effects
The fire broke out around 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday, when the game area was probably very busy with people. We are still investigating the fire's cause, but early accounts suggest welding work or electrical problems as potential culprits.
Several factors contributed to the rapid spread of the fire:
- Temporary Structure: The TRP Game Zone was constructed with temporary buildings with tin roofs, which don't fight fire very well.
- Lack of Fire Safety Measures: According to reports, the building lacked enough fire extinguishers, fire exits, and trained staff to assist people in escaping in an emergency.
- Flammable Materials: The fire got even worse because there were fuel barrels stored for engines and other rides nearby.
The only way out became a bottleneck, which caused fear and added to the high number of deaths.
There were fatalities and attempts to save lives
The stated number of deaths is 33, with nine children among them. We had to take DNA samples from the burned bodies of many victims and family members to identify them. Rescue efforts continued all night, with firefighters fighting the fire and searching for survivors.
Government responses and investigations
People all over the country were angry and sad about what happened. Other world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, sent their condolences to the families of the dead.
The government of Gujarat put together a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of five people to look into what happened and give a report within 72 hours. The SIT began its investigation by speaking with local government representatives and gathering evidence.
Important Findings and Claims
Investigations have shown that the TRP Game Zone had major safety problems.
- Lack of Licenses and NOC: The Rajkot Municipal Corporation says the betting zone ran without the proper fire safety licenses and a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
- Single Exit Point: Having only one exit was a bad idea, especially when the building was full of people.
- Lack of Care and Responsibility: People allege that management lacked care by failing to take the necessary safety precautions.
Actions Taken
- Arrest: The TRP Game Zone's owner and boss are in custody.
- Compensation: The Gujarat Chief Minister announced that each family of a deceased individual would receive 4 lakh rupees in compensation, and each injured individual would receive 50,000 rupees.
- Closure of Gaming Zones: The government has closed all gaming areas in Rajkot and Vadodara until further notice.
- Statewide Inspection: To ensure compliance with fire safety regulations, the DGP of Gujarat ordered an inspection of all betting areas in the state.
Court proceedings
The Gujarat High Court looked into the case on its own and called it a "man-made disaster." The Gujarat High Court will hear the case on May 27, 2024. The court may make decisions about the state's betting zones.
The Indian Penal Code charges six individuals, including the owner and boss, with negligence that resulted in death or serious injury.
Moving On
The fire in the Rajkot betting zone exemplifies how important it is to put safety rules first in public entertainment areas. Investigations continue to identify the guilty and ensure their accountability. As a result of the incident, there is a growing discussion about the need to strengthen the regulations and police presence in gaming zones across India. The main goals are to get justice for the dead and stop future tragedies like this from happening.
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
Inputs from Agencies
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