Dozens died in two separate accidents that occurred last night in Gujarat and Delhi. The play area reportedly lacked the necessary permits, despite having been operating for four years. The bishop of Rajkot to AsiaNews: “Deeply saddened, we cry with the families”.
Rajkot (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Just as World Children’s Day is being celebrated in Rome with Pope Francis, India is currently grappling with two serious tragedies which have affected the very little ones and their families. At least 33 people, including many children, died in a fire that broke out last night in an amusement park in the city of Rajkot, in the state of Gujarat. At the time of the fire the structure was very crowded also because the summer holidays were underway in India.
The flames were apparently caused by some welding work. The amusement park, which opened four years ago, was built in temporary two-story structures with tin roofs. The local government is investigating to ascertain the conditions of the structure but it seems that it has not yet obtained the necessary authorization.
The bodies of the victims were mangled by the fire which left them unrecognizable. DNA samples are being collected from the bodies and relatives for the identification of deceased people.
“I am extremely saddened by the fire disaster in Rajkot – declared Prime Minister Narendra Modi -. My thoughts go out to all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the wounded. The local administration is working to provide all possible assistance to those affected.”
Even the bishop of Rajkot, Msgr. Jose Chittooparambil, expressed ad AsiaNews the pain of the diocese: “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, we cry with the families of those who lost their loved ones in this fire, so many children lost their lives. They went to have fun and have fun in the gaming area… The whole city is in shock. This amusement park is located just 3 kilometers from the headquarters of the diocese. We pray to God to console the families and we stand in solidarity with them.”
Also yesterday evening, a large fire broke out in a private children’s hospital in the Vivek Vihar area of Delhi, causing the death of seven newborns and the injury of five other children.
“The government should take the necessary precautions to avoid further incidents like these and always defend the safety of its citizens,” added Fr. Vinod Kanatt, religious of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate who worked for 25 years in the diocese of Rajkot and is currently parish priest at the church of St. Joseph, and Chembalam, in the diocese of Idukki in Kerala.
