At least 20 dead in fire at amusement park in western India

Firefighters douse a fire which broke out in an amusement park, in Rajkot in the Indian state of Gujarat, on Saturday (Chirag Chotaliya/AP)

A massive fire broke out on Saturday in an amusement park in Gujarat state in western India, leaving at least 20 people dead, police said.

The fire erupted at the park in the city of Rajkot in Gujarat state.

Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava said the fire was under control and the rescue operation under way with 20 bodies recovered.

Extremely distressed by the fire mishap in Rajkot. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured. The local administration is working to provide all possible assistance to those affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 25, 2024

The park is usually packed with families with children enjoying the school summer vacation over the weekend.

Footage showed firefighters clearing debris around collapsed tin roof structures that media reports said were used for bowling, go-karting and trampoline attractions.

The amusement park was privately owned by Yuvraj Singh Solanki and Mr Bhargava said that police will file a case of negligence against him.

“We will be registering an offence for negligence and the deaths which have occurred. Further investigation will take place once we complete the rescue operation,” he said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he was “extremely distressed by the fire … in Rajkot. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured.”