27 killed in deadly amusement park fire

At least 27 people – including several children – have been killed in a deadly fire that ripped through a popular amusement park.

At least 27 people have been killed after a huge fire broke out at a popular amusement park in western India.

The deadly blaze erupted at the park in the city of Rajkot in Gujarat state on Saturday, with more than 300 people inside a two-storey structure when the tragedy unfolded.

The state’s Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava confirmed that the fire was under control and the rescue operation was under way.

The park was especially busy as it was a summer holiday weekend. Local reports have stated that several children were killed in the inferno.

Firefighters try to extinguish the fire which broke out at the park. Picture: AFP

“People got trapped as a temporary structure at the facility collapsed near the entrance, making it difficult for the people to come out,” District collector of Rajkot, Prabhav Joshi, told reporters.

Terrifying footage of the incident showed firefighters desperately clearing debris from around the collapsed tin roof structures that local media said was used for bowling, go-karting and trampoline attractions.

The inferno has killed at least 27 people and injured dozens more. Picture: X

A negligence case will be filed against the amusement park’s owner, Yuvraj Singh Solanki, the Police Commissioner confirmed.

“We will be registering an offence for negligence and the deaths which have occurred,” he said.

“Further investigation will take place once we complete the rescue operation.”

It took rescuers nearly an hour to douse the fire, with a dozen ambulances carrying the injured to nearby hospitals.

At least 27 people have been killed in the blaze. Picture: AFP

Fire department officials explained that a short-circuit was the suspected cause of the blaze.

Police at the site revealed that the bodies of those killed were “heavily burned”, which was making the process of identification difficult.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X 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”.

Sadly, fires in India are common due to poor building practices, overcrowding and a lack of adherence to safety regulations.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. Picture: AFP

In February, 11 people were killed in a paint factory fire in New Delhi, while in 2022, at least 27 people died after a huge blaze broke out at a four-storey commercial building in the city.

Back in 2016, more than 100 people were killed after a large explosion during a banned fireworks display in the southern state of Kerala.

Close to home

It has been over four decades since Sydney’s tragic Luna Park ghost train fire in 1979.

The incident remains the deadliest tragedy at an Australian theme park to date.

Just after 10pm on the night of June 9, 1979, a small fire was first spotted in the depths of the ageing decorations at Luna Park’s ghost train.

Flames quickly engulfed the ride, claiming the lives of Waverley College school boys Seamus Rahilly, Richard Carroll, Jonathan Billings and Michael Johnson.

Fires are sadly common in India, with many being killed over the years. Picture: AFP

Damien and Craig, and their father John Godson also perished in the fire. Mr Godson was found attempting to shield his boys from the inferno.

It took police less than 24 hours to rule the tragedy an accident and blame the fire on an electrical fault.

It had barely been nine hours since the final body had been carried from the charred ride for the head investigator to issue a stunning statement.

“There is nothing suspicious about the origin of the fire,” NSW Police Inspector Doug Knight said, claiming four witnesses had come forward to say they had seen sparks in the roof.

“We are now satisfied the fire was due to an electrical fault in the building.”

Originally published as 27 killed in deadly amusement park fire