In the heart of Rajkot, on the bustling Nana Mauva Road, the day of mirth turned to screams and sorrow as a deadly blaze engulfed the TRP Game Zone, charring 35 lives and leaving countless others in despair on May 26. This privately owned, two-story structure, bursting with the exuberance of children and families, became the setting for one of the most horrific tragedies Gujarat has ever seen, thereby raising grave questions about the safety standards of such facilities.
In a matter of moments, what was intended to be a haven of gaming entertainment became a scene of unimaginable horror as a deadly inferno swept through the game zone— a popular destination for thrill-seekers, claiming precious and leaving countless others in despair. This catastrophe, now referred to as a ‘compound disaster,’ unfolded in a matter of moments, transforming a place of gaming amusement into a site of ‘Lakshagriha.’
TRP Game Zone was famous for its wide array of outdoor thrill-seeking activities, offering exhilarating pursuits such as go-karting, bowling, paintball, and a trampoline park. The arcade featured cutting-edge projector games, while cricket drift karting, laser and mirror mazes, VR games, rifle shooting, and archery promised endless adventure and excitement. But on that fateful day, the dreams woven within these walls were consumed by a predatory fire, turning joy into ashes and laughter into lamentations.
According to officials, the gaming center operated without a crucial no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire clearance—a fatal oversight that contributed to the chaos. The facility had only one emergency exit, and as the fire erupted, panic spread like wildfire among the trapped visitors. A temporary structure near the entrance collapsed, sealing the fate of many and making escape a near impossibility. The blaze’s ferocity was such that smoke billowed into the sky, visible from miles away. The bodies, charred beyond recognition, bore silent testimony to the horror within. DNA samples from the victims and their relatives are now the key to piecing together the identities of those lost.
The tragedy was reportedly ignited by welding work on the premises. Among the victims was a newly married couple whose love story met a tragic end in the inferno that swept through Rajkot’s TRP Game Zone. Police have sought DNA samples from the couple’s parents to confirm their identities, adding personal agony to the collective grief.
The Gujarat High Court has aptly termed this a ‘man-made disaster,’ taking suo motu cognizance of the tragic events. An FIR has been lodged against six individuals, with two arrests already made. On May 26, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi assessed the devastating scene at the game zone while members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) convened with local authorities in Rajkot. The harrowing images of bodies burnt beyond recognition are a stark reminder of the negligence that led to this catastrophe. DNA samples from the deceased and their relatives are being painstakingly collected to bring some semblance of closure to grieving families.
The search for the missing at TRP Game Zone continued relentlessly on Sunday, a day after a catastrophic fire snuffed out the lives of at least 35 individuals, including children. The site of the tragedy was a somber tableau of grief and hope as relatives of those still unaccounted for or unidentified waited with bated breath, eyes scanning for any sign of their loved ones amidst the ruins.
At Rajkot Civil Hospital, several bodies lay awaiting identification, silent witnesses to the horror that unfolded. “Rescue workers keep bringing out charred bodies, but there’s no word about my relatives,” shared Dilip Modasia, a resident of Rajkot. His voice quivered as he named his missing kin Khushali Dusara, Vivek Dusara, Isha Modasia, Smiley, and Himanshu Parmar.
Devika Jadeja, another resident, spoke of her father, Virendrasinh Jadeja, who vanished into the blaze. In a heroic attempt to save his son and three other relatives, Virendrasinh rushed to the upper floor of the game zone, only to disappear in the engulfing flames. “Authorities currently list him as ‘missing,’ and we anxiously await the DNA test results to confirm their identities,” she voiced in a poignant mix of hope and despair.
The relentless search and the desperate wait for answers cast a long, dark shadow over Rajkot, turning a vibrant community into a collective of mourners united in their grief and search for closure.
Officials have discovered five drums of ethyl acetate, a dangerously flammable compound, at a repair site within the gaming zone. Additionally, liquor was seized from the office of the amusement park administrators, further complicating the tragedy’s narrative. An NDRF team remains vigilant at the scene, ready to assist as needed.
“I am deeply anguished to learn of the loss of lives in a fire accident at a gaming zone in Rajkot, Gujarat. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their near and dear ones, including young children. I pray to the Almighty for the speedy recovery of those rescued”
President Droupadi Murmu
On May 26, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel arrived for an on-site assessment, his presence a beacon of solidarity amidst the grief. He visited Rajkot AIIMS and other hospitals to check on the injured, offering words of comfort and support to them and their families. The Chief Minister also met with the bereaved families, extending his heartfelt condolences and promising them unwavering assistance in this dark hour.
The Rajkot Merchants’ Association has declared that all markets in the city will remain closed until 1 pm on May 27, a gesture of respect and mourning for the lives lost. The TRP Game Zone was teeming with visitors that fateful day, lured by a weekend discount offering tickets for just Rs. 99. Initial suspicions point to a short circuit as the fire’s origin, but officials assert that the exact cause will be determined only after a thorough investigation. The scene is a tragic mosaic of charred remnants and shattered dreams as the community grapples with the magnitude of the loss and the urgent need for answers.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have all expressed profound grief over the tragic incident. In a heartfelt gesture, Modi contacted Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to inquire about the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. “The fire tragedy in Rajkot has saddened us all. In my telephone conversation with him a short while ago, Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel Ji told me about the efforts underway to ensure all possible assistance is provided to those affected,” he shared on X.
In an emotional message, Murmu wrote, “I am deeply anguished to learn of the loss of lives in a fire accident at a gaming zone in Rajkot, Gujarat. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their near and dear ones, including young children. I pray to the almighty for the speedy recovery of those rescued.”
Following the harrowing blaze at Rajkot’s TRP Game Zone, which claimed at least 35 lives, the police have taken decisive action. The facility’s manager, Nitin Jain, and one of its partners, Yuvraj Singh Solanki, were arrested.
Raju Bhargava, Rajkot’s Police Commissioner, said: “Till last night, we had recovered 27 dead bodies, which were shifted to Civil Hospital. After taking DNA samples, they were sent for sampling to FSL, and the matching process is still ongoing. FIR was registered against six people under IPC sections 304, 308, 336, 338, and 114. Manager Nitin Jain and Yuvraj Solanki have been arrested. Special teams are working to apprehend the other accused.”
Sources reveal that the Game Zone has three partners—Prakash Jain, Yuvraj Singh Solanki, and Rahul Rathod. In response to this devastating fire, the state Director General of Police has issued a mandate to inspect all game zones in Gujarat and shut down those operating without proper fire safety permissions. This directive, coordinated with municipal fire officers, underscores the urgent need for rigorous safety compliance.
“The fire tragedy in Rajkot has saddened us all. In my telephone conversation with him briefly, Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel Ji told me about the efforts underway to ensure all possible assistance is provided to those affected”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Throughout history, fires have caused immediate destruction and prompted significant changes in population patterns, infrastructure, and worldwide events. These catastrophic infernos often precipitate a profound reevaluation of safety regulations and heighten public awareness, transforming the landscape in their wake. The tragedy in Rajkot stands as a stark and sorrowful reminder of the paramount importance of adhering to safety protocols, underscoring the dire need to prevent such devastating calamities.
Meanwhile, the nation is reeling from a second harrowing tragedy as a massive fire at a children’s hospital in East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar claimed the lives of seven newborns. The inferno, which erupted at the Baby Care New Born Hospital and its adjacent building around 11:30 pm on May 24, has cast a pall of grief over the community. While twelve newborns were rescued, the flames claimed seven tiny lives. Five of the survivors are now receiving treatment at another hospital, their frail bodies battling to overcome the trauma.
The anatomy of this monstrous blaze reveals a scene of utter devastation. Six infants were declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, while one succumbed during treatment. Their tiny bodies, now at GTB Hospital for postmortem, are silent witnesses to the horror. Atul Garg, Director of the Delhi Fire Department, indicated a likely absence of a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the facility, a critical lapse in safety. The presence of oxygen cylinders exacerbated the situation, leading to catastrophic explosions.
In a heart-rending revelation, officials disclosed that the hospital’s registration with the Directorate General of Health Services had expired nearly two months prior. The Delhi police have arrested Dr. Naveen, the hospital’s owner, in connection with this tragedy.
In a profound gesture of sorrow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, echoing the nation’s collective grief and offering a small measure of solace amidst the overwhelming tragedy. “The fire tragedy at a hospital in Delhi is heart-rending. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this tough time. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest,” Modi posted on X.
Adding to the city’s anguish, another fire in East Delhi’s Krishna Nagar claimed three lives in a residential building during the early hours of May 25. These incidents closely follow the devastating fire in Rajkot’s TRP Game Zone. The confluence of these tragedies has plunged the nation into mourning and reflection.
NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo has blamed the authorities for the fire at the Vivek Vihar hospital. Kanoongo criticized the hazardous manner in which oxygen was being handled and highlighted a 2021 notice from the commission urging regular fire safety audits for hospitals with Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Pediatric Intensive Care Units, and Special Newborn Care Units. This advice should have been more timely.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also shared in the collective sorrow, calling the deaths of the seven infants “extremely heartbreaking.” His deepest condolences went out to the grieving parents and relatives, with hopes for the swift recovery of the injured children.
As the Delhi police detained Dr. Naveen for questioning, the gravity of the situation became even more apparent. The fire, which ignited around 11:30 pm, saw nine fire tenders rushing to the site, desperately attempting to quell the flames.
In response to this tragic event, additional chief secretary and revenue secretary Ashwini Kumar has ordered a magisterial inquiry. Kumar directed the district magistrate (Shahadra) to investigate the circumstances leading to this disaster and to recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal voiced the collective anguish of the community, stating, “This incident of fire in a children’s hospital is heartbreaking. We all stand with those who lost their innocent children in this accident.” His words resonate deeply, capturing the sorrow and solidarity felt across the nation.
NO LESSONS LEARNT FROM UPHAAR CINEMA FIRE TRAGEDY
Twenty-six years have passed, yet the wounds of the Uphaar Cinema fire tragedy in New Delhi remain raw, and the words to encapsulate the horror elude us still. The inferno that consumed Uphaar Cinema on June 13, 1997, during the 3:00 pm screening of JP Dutta’s ‘Border’ is one of the darkest chapters in recent Indian history. The cinema hall, packed to capacity, became a death trap for fifty-nine souls who succumbed to asphyxiation and left 103 others severely injured in the ensuing chaos.
The tragedy unfolded against a backdrop of egregious lapses in safety measures. The cinema owners, Sushil and Gopal Ansal, were promptly arrested in Mumbai in July 1997, yet the case was soon handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A decade later, the trial court found the Ansals guilty of criminal negligence, sentencing them to two years in prison, the harshest punishment permitted for such offenses. However, the Delhi High Court later reduced the sentence to one year. The long, tortuous legal battle stretched on for years in the Supreme Court, leaving a trail of frustration and sorrow for the victims’ families.
Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the CBI, lamented before the Delhi High Court in 2007, saying: “Safety measures, meant for panic situations, were not in place in the ill-fated theatre… the persons, who were getting financial gains from the operation of the cinema, were criminally liable for the lapses.”
The generator that ignited the blaze needed essential safety features and was disastrously situated in what had become an impromptu parking lot. This misplacement led to parked cars laden with highly inflammable gasoline catching fire quickly.
Reports revealed a chilling neglect: the generator had not been maintained as required by law, and the cinema hall lacked exit lights, footlights, and emergency lighting. When the power failed, the theatre plunged into an impenetrable darkness. There was no public announcement system to warn the viewers of the impending disaster, compounding the panic. Numerous exit gates were locked, and gangways were obstructed due to unauthorized extensions designed to boost seating capacity and profits.
The Uphaar Cinema fire remains a haunting reminder of human negligence and the dire consequences of placing profit over safety. It is a tale of lives lost and families shattered, an indelible scar on the collective memory of a city and a nation. The echoes of that fateful day endure, urging us to remember, to grieve, and to passionately strive for a world where such tragedies are never repeated.
As the smoke disperses and the ashes fall, the tragic events of these days will remain indelibly etched in the hearts of those who mourn. The loss of innocent lives, the stark revelations of negligence, and the overwhelming grief collectively paint a portrait of profound sorrow and an urgent cry for change. The nation grieves, yet it also calls for accountability and safer practices so that such heartbreak might never revisit another family.
Amidst the confusion, acts of heroism and desperation were witnessed. Parents shielded their children with their bodies, strangers helped strangers, and the bravest among the crowd tried to lead others to safety. Yet, the ferocity of the fire overwhelmed many, trapping them in a fatal embrace.
The stories of those who perished are heart-wrenching. Among the victims were children, parents, and young couples who had come to enjoy a day of fun and adventure. Their dreams and aspirations now lie in ashes, leaving their loved ones to grapple with an unbearable void.
As the embers cool and the smoke clears, questions are being fervently asked about the cause of the fire and the safety measures at the TRP Game Zone. How could a place meant for happiness become the site of such a tragedy? Investigations have begun, and there are murmurs of negligence and lapses in safety protocols.
Meanwhile, the day of mirth, overshadowed by the inferno at the TRP Game Zone, will forever be a heart-rending chapter in history. The disaster has left an indelible mark but ignited a collective determination to ensure a safer future. As Gujarat mourns, the slow healing begins, united in grief and hope.
