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At least 27 people, including several children, were killed after a major fire broke out at an amusement park in western India on Saturday (May 25), according to the New York Post, which cited local police and media reports.
The incident occurred in the city of Rajkot in Gujarat state. Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava said the fire erupted at the amusement park but was under control as a rescue operation was ongoing.
Police officer Vinayak Patel said the department was facing difficulties identifying the bodies of the victims killed in the fire.
“So far we have confirmed the death of 27 persons in the fire incident,” Patel told the Press Trust of India news agency via the New York Post, acknowledging that four children under the age of 12 were confirmed to have died.
The owner, Yuvraj Singh Solanki, and manager of the amusement park were both detained for questioning amid the ongoing investigation into the fatal fire.
"We will be registering an offense for negligence and the deaths which have occurred. Further investigation will take place once we complete the rescue operation," Bhargava said via CBS News.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "extremely distressed" by the Rajkot fire in a post shared on his X account.
"Extremely distressed by the fire mishap in Rajkot," Modi wrote. "My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured. The local administration is working to provide all possible assistance to those affected."