The TRP game zone in Gujarat's Rajkot city, which caught fire on Saturday evening resulting in the death of 27 people, lacked necessary safety precautions, according to reports. A primary investigation into the incident suggests negligence by the management.
Not only was the TRP game zone operating without the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) but also functioning illegally in a residential area for four years, IANS quoted unnamed sources.
The building had a flimsy and shed-like structure and it is unclear whether it had a stability certificate. The Road and Building Department officials are currently untraceable, and so are officials responsible for issuing stability certificates.
The game zone managers allegedly expanded the facility to three stories by obtaining a ride certificate. Though they secured permission from the police for the amusement park and sought approval for rides, many comprehensive safety evaluations were reportedly side-stepped.
There are also concerns about the way management and safety protocols were observed at the game zone.
The report added that over 2, 000 litres of petrol were stored on-site. Welding activities were going on and tyres were also kept in the area without safety regulations.
Rajkot Mayor Nayna Pedhadiya confirmed the absence of a fire NOC. Pedhadiya said a probe will be launched as to how such a big game zone was functioning without a fire NOC. "No politics will be allowed over this issue," Pedhadiya told reporters.
The place also had just one emergency exit, according to NDTV. A fire official also said how people got trapped as a temporary structure at the facility collapsed near the entrance.
Remains of gutted tyres at the game zone | AP
Meanwhile, Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vinayak Patel said 27 bodies were recovered from the incident site and taken to the city civil hospital. "Three persons were injured in the incident and their health condition was stable," he said.
"The bodies are charred beyond recognition, and we have completed the process of collecting the DNA samples of the bodies and the relatives who have claimed them so that the identity of the deceased can be established. The death toll is not likely to rise any further," he said.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the fire incident at TRP Game Zone in Rajkot. The issue will be heard in the Gujarat High Court on Monday.
