At least 27 people, including four children, killed in fire at amusement park in India

At least 27 people have died, including four children, after a huge fire broke out in an amusement park in Gujarat state in western India on Saturday, 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 27 bodies recovered.

Police officer Vinayak Patel said it was difficult to identify the bodies.

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Police said they have detained the owner and the manager of the amusement park for questioning as they launched an investigation in the cause.

“So far we have confirmed the death of 27 persons in the fire incident,” the Press Trust of India news agency quoted Mr Patel as saying, adding that the dead included four children under the age of 12.

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.” – AP