11 children among 34 dead in two devastating fire incidents in India
New Delhi: India was rocked by two separate fires, leaving a trail of devastation and claiming 34 precious lives including 11 children.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the incidents occurred in the western state of Gujarat and the national capital, Delhi, sparking widespread outrage and grief.
In the first incident, a fire engulfed a crowded amusement park in Rajkot, Gujarat, killing 27 people, including four children under the age of 12. The blaze broke out on Saturday evening, trapping over 300 people inside the two-story structure. Survivors recounted harrowing tales of escape, with some forced to kick down doors and leap out of windows to safety.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but officials attributed the rapid spread of the flames to the use of flammable materials in the building’s construction. The identities of the victims are still being confirmed, with many bodies charred beyond recognition.
In a separate incident, a fire ravaged a children’s hospital in Delhi’s Shahdara district, claiming the lives of seven newborns. The blaze broke out at the Baby Care New Born Hospital, with 12 infants rescued from the medical facility. However, seven of them succumbed to their injuries, leaving five others receiving treatment at another hospital.
The Delhi police have arrested the owner of the hospital, Dr. Naveen Kichi, who had been on the run since the fire broke out. The incident has sparked demands for justice and stricter safety regulations in the country.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the incidents, offering condolences to the families of the victims. The country is reeling in shock, with many calling for improved safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.