At least 20 people, including several children, have died in a fire in the state of Gujarat. The flames have engulfed a popular gaming area in Rajkot, state Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel told reporters.
"The rescue operation continues. The fire is under control. We are trying to recover as many bodies as possible. Currently, around 20 bodies have been recovered and sent to the hospital for further examination,” Patel was quoted as saying by NDTV channel.
The minister also noted that the causes of the fire are still unknown. An investigation has been launched.
At the same time, as reported by the newspaper Hindustan Times, most of the dead were children. Due to the fire, the roof of the hangar, in which the playground was located, collapsed. Firefighters fear that the bodies of the dead still remain under the rubble.
Several fire brigade teams are working at the scene of the fire. The injured were taken to city hospitals.