Major safety violations uncovered at Rajkot game zone after tragic fire incident
Rajkot: The devastating fire that engulfed a gaming zone in Rajkot, claiming the lives of 28 individuals, including 9 children, has spotlighted serious lapses in safety standards at the establishment. Authorities revealed that the amusement center, known as TRP, was operating without the necessary no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire clearance and had only one exit, raising concerns about its preparedness for emergencies.
The tragedy struck during a period of heightened footfall, with the gaming zone offering discounted tickets priced at just ₹99 for the weekend. While initial investigations suggest a possible short circuit as the cause of the fire, conclusive findings are pending a thorough probe.
Firefighters faced formidable challenges combating the blaze, compounded by the collapse of the temporary structure and adverse wind conditions. The intensity of the fire was such that smoke billowed several kilometers away, leaving victims' bodies charred beyond recognition. DNA samples have been collected to aid in identification.
The absence of requisite licenses and fire safety clearances from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation has drawn sharp criticism, with regulatory oversight coming under scrutiny in the aftermath of the tragedy. Rajkot Mayor Nayna Pedhadiya, overseeing rescue efforts at the scene, confirmed the lack of a fire NOC and pledged a thorough investigation into the regulatory lapses.
The facility's single emergency exit exacerbated the panic and difficulty in evacuating patrons, particularly as a collapse near the entrance impeded egress. Both the owner and manager of the TRP game zone have been detained for interrogation.
In response to the incident, the state director general of police has instructed law enforcement agencies to conduct comprehensive inspections of game zones across Gujarat, with directives to shut down any operation without proper fire safety permissions.
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At least 4 people killed in one of largest Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia
Kyiv, May (AP): At least four people, including three near Moscow, died in one of the largest Ukrainian overnight attacks against Russia since the start of the war, according to Russian local authorities.
A woman was killed after a drone hit her home in Khimki, a city just northwest of Moscow, and two men died in the village of Pogorelki 10 km north of the capital, according to local Gov. Andrei Vorobyev.
In social media updates, Vorobyev said Ukrainian drones had also damaged unspecified “infrastructure” and several high-rises.
In Moscow itself, at least 12 people were wounded in the nighttime strike, mostly near the entrance to the city's oil refinery, mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported. Sobyanin reported the “technology” of the refinery has not been damaged.
Russian defences shot down 81 drones headed for Moscow overnight, state agency Tass reported, citing Sobyanin, marking one of the largest attacks on the Russian capital since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
One man was also killed as a drone struck a lorry in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, according to local authorities.
Russian air defences destroyed 556 drones over Russia overnight, the country's defence ministry said Sunday morning. Shortly after midday local time, it reported that over 1,000 had been shot down or jammed in the previous 24 hours.
Russia's largest airport — Moscow's Sheremetyevo — said drone debris had fallen on its premises without causing damage.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 287 drones overnight on Sunday, 279 of which were shot down or jammed, the Ukrainian air force reported.
According to Ukraine's estate emergency service, the strikes injured 8 people in Ukraine's central Dnipropetrovsk region: three in the regional capital of Dnipro, four in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih, and one in the district of Synelkove.
Residential buildings were damaged in all three locations, the service said.
