Bodies of 27 people 'burned beyond recognition' after massive fire at Indian amusement park, relatives say

RAJKOT, India (AP) — Giriraj Singh waited for hours Sunday to collect his nephew's body, but was told to go home because the remains were “burned beyond recognition.”

“The bodies are not identifiable and authorities have asked me to wait for DNA tests,” Singh, a retired army officer, told The Associated Press.

His 24-year-old nephew was with three friends when a huge fire broke out on Saturday at an amusement park in the western city of Rajkot. Indiakilling 27 people, including children, during the busy weekend coinciding with the state's school summer break.

Local police officer Raju Bhargav said that while owner Yuvraj Singh Solanki had purchased fire extinguishers and was in the process of installing a water-based fire printing system, he was operating the two-storey building without permission firefighters. He said Solanki and the park manager were arrested and charged with “negligence resulting in death.”

The ground floor of the park housed the reception area while the first floor housed bowling, go-karting and trampoline attractions.

Panicked visitors ran to safety, but the park's narrow gates prevented a quick escape, The Indian Express newspaper reported.

Bhargav said the cause of the fire was under investigation, but construction work was underway and a spark from a welding machine could have started the fire. He added that the rescue operation had been completed and teams were cleaning up the debris.

Relatives said doctors advised them on Sunday not to wait and go home because DNA testing to identify the remains could take up to 48 hours.

The state's top elected official, Bhupendra Patel, visited the scene of the fire and a hospital where injured people were being treated. Bhargav, the police officer, said three people were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation and burns, but their lives were not in danger.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Prayers for the injured.

Fires are common in India, where builders and residents often flout building laws and safety codes. Activists say builders often neglect safety to save money and accuse city officials of negligence and apathy.

In 2019, a fire caused by an electrical short circuit ravaged a building in the Indian capital and killed 43 people. In 2022, a fire in a four-story commercial building in New Delhi killed at least 27 people.