Five family members killed in fire, newlywed couple among missing | News from India

RAJKOT: Pradeepsinh Chauhan stood among many anxious relatives of the 'missing' outside Rajkot Civil Hospital, enduring the sweltering Sunday heat without food and water, hoping for positive news about their loved ones. None came. Chauhan said five members of his family died in the devastating fire at the TRP Game Zone the previous evening.

This included his 15-year-old son, his brother-in-law and his sister's family. “Two members of my family went to the second floor to save the children, but they could not come out,” Chauhan said. The death toll stands at 28. The badly burned bodies cannot be identified, requiring DNA tests, which will take time. Authorities have compiled a list of people missing after the fire.

Among the “missing” were a newly married couple – Vivek, 26, and Khushali Dusara, 24 – and their sister-in-law Tisha. The family from Gir Somnath district spent a sleepless night, unable to reach the couple on the phone. They went to Rajkot on Sunday. Vivek and Khushali had married two months earlier, adding to the grief of their sudden loss.

Surpalsinh Jadejahad went to the game area with two friends, but was later listed as 'missing'. His father Pathubha said, “My son took part in the rescue. He saved people. I was in contact with him. But after a while we lost contact.

Kalpesh Bagda, 22, had been working in the gaming zone for two years. He is now presumed dead. Bagda was a source of hope for his family. His uncle Mansukhbhai lamented, “Kalpesh’s family hoped to have a good life with his new job. But now it's all gone. »

Monu Gaud, a 17-year-old who came to work in the gaming zone just 20 days ago from Uttar Pradesh, was also in the 'missing' list. “If we had known that this job would cost him his life, I would not have called him here,” said his aunt Sangeeta.

Daksh, who went to the play area with his 10-year-old cousin, described the harrowing escape. “The fire started near the emergency exit door and blocked the exit. The area was covered with a tin sheet. I kicked and broke it to get out “Some people jumped from the first floor. Those who couldn't jump died,” he said. Daksh's brother sustained injuries on his hand and forehead and is under treatment.