India games arcade fire kills 27, officials say
Watch: The gaming arcade in Rajkot was engulfed in a "massive fire"
- Published
At least 27 people have died in a 鈥渕assive fire鈥 at a games arcade in India, local officials say.
Flames and a huge pall of smoke could be seen rising into the sky at the building in Rajkot, in the western state of Gujarat.
"The bodies are charred beyond recognition and hence their identification will be difficult," senior police officer Radhika Bharai told reporters after providing the updated death toll.
There are fears more victims may still be trapped under the wreckage.
Earlier, Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava told 大象传媒 Gujarati 24 people had died. Several victims are reported to be children.
The blaze broke out on Saturday afternoon when the arcade was packed with children and young people. It has been brought under control, authorities say.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said a 鈥渟pecial investigation team鈥 had been assigned.
India鈥檚 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he was 鈥渆xtremely distressed鈥 by the fire in Rajkot and said his thoughts were with those who had lost loved ones.
The games arcade was engulfed in a 'massive fire'
