NEW DELHI — A massive fire broke out at an amusement park in India's western state of Gujarat on Saturday, killing at least 22 people, including several children, police said.
The fire broke out in a park in the city of Rajkot. Commissioner of Police Raju Bhargava said the blaze had been brought under control and rescue operations were underway.
Police officer Vinayak Patel confirmed that 22 people were killed in the fire. New Delhi Television news channel reported the death toll at 27.
Patel said the bodies were charred and difficult to identify.
The park is often crowded on weekends with families with children enjoying their summer school holidays.
Footage showed firefighters clearing rubble around the collapsed tin-roofed building, which reportedly housed bowling, go-karting and trampoline rides.
The park is privately owned by Yuvraj Singh Solanki, and Bhargava said he would file a negligence complaint against him.
“We will register a criminal offence for negligence and the deaths that occurred,” Bhargava said. “Further investigation will be carried out once the rescue operation is completed.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X that he was “deeply saddened” by the Rajkot fire. “My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones. My prayers go out to those who are injured,” he wrote.
Fires are common in India, where builders and residents often ignore building and safety regulations.