Gujarat: 18 teenage students killed in Surat building fire
Coaching class students jump off building after fire to save themselves
Surat, May 24: A massive fire engulfed a four- storey commercial complex in Surat on Friday, killing 18 teenage students at a coaching centre, many of whom jumped and fell to their deaths while some were suffocated, officials said.
Several injuries were also reported.
TV channels showed horrific scenes at the Takshashila Complex in Sarthana area where the building is located, as students tried to save themselves by jumping out of windows.
"Eighteen students have died either due to suffocation or jumping from the building when fire engulfed the commercial complex," Gujarat minister of state for health Kishor Kanani said.
"We have ordered a detailed inquiry and anyone found responsible for the incident won't be spared," Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said.
"Several students on the fourth and third floor jumped off to the ground to save themselves from fire and smoke. Many have been sent to hospital. The operation to douse the fire is on," said a city fire official.
A video clip aired by news channels showed students jumping off from third and fourth floor windows amid plumes of thick smoke rising from the building.
Nineteen fire tenders and two hydraulic platforms were pressed into service for dowsing and rescue operations, Sarthana area of Surat, said an official of Surat fire control room.
Local people helped with the rescue operation to save stranded students and other occupants of the building housing coaching classes and other establishments.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani ordered the principal secretary of the Urban Development department to rush to the spot.
He also declared financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each for the family members of those who died in the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "extremely anguished" by the fire tragedy in his home state.
"My thoughts are with bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Have asked the Gujarat Government and local authorities to provide all possible assistance to those affected," Modi tweeted.
"I am pained on hearing the news about the tragedy in Surat in Gujarat. I express my deep condolences to the families of the affected persons. I also wish for the speedy recovery of the injured," Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
A fire broke out on the second floor of a building in Sarthana area of Surat. Death toll in fire rises to 20.#Gujarat #Surat #SuratFire pic.twitter.com/bxtlplW4UA
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
