Pradeepsinh Chauhan was among an anxious crowd of ‘missing’ relatives outside Rajkot Civil Hospital, struggling through Sunday’s sweltering temperatures without food or water and hoping for any news about the whereabouts of their loved ones. No one turned up. Five members of his family were killed in the fire that destroyed the TRP game area last night.
That included a 15-year-old son, his brother-in-law and the entire sister’s family.“Two people from my family went to save those children who were on second floor but they could not return,” said Chauhan. Twenty-eight people have died so far as a result of this accident. This is subject to DNA testing and can take time. The missing persons list was established by authorities after the blaze.
Those “missing” also include a newly married couple- Vivek, aged 26 years and Khushali Dusara, aged 24 years alongside Tisha their sister-in law. A family from Girsomnat district had sleepless night as they could not reach them via phone which forced them go to Rajkot on Sunday. Only two months ago did Vivek tie knot with Khushali making their departure all the more tragic.
Surpalsinh Jadejahad came to gaming area with two friends but later he appeared in “missing” category again. “My son involved in rescuing others who were at risk; I spoke with him on phone just before we lost contact,” said his father Patuba.
Kalpesh Bagda, 22 years old has been working for two years now at sport zone. He is currently presumed dead and this will end many hopes from his family for Baghdad was like silver lining in-the-clouds uncle Mansukhbhaisaid: “Karpesh’s new job offered hope of a better life for the whole Bagda family which is now gone”.
Another person listed as “Missing” is 17-year-old Monu Gaud. He came from Uttar Pradesh to work in the gaming area just twenty days ago. “I wouldn’t have asked him to come here if I knew that this job would cost his life,” said Sangeeta, his aunt.
Daksh went with his ten-year-old cousin to the play area and he described how they managed to escape. “The fire started near the emergency exit door so it was impossible for us to go outside through it. One of them had a tinfoil on top of it so I kicked it out of my way. Something made someone jump from upstairs while those who could not jumped all died” Daksh explained. Daksh’s brother injured his hands and forehead and is currently being treated for that.
