No fewer than 24 people have been killed in a fire that broke out at an amusement park in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Saturday evening, a government official has confirmed.

According to the VOA, the park is usually filled with families enjoying summer vacation over the weekend. 

Many of Saturday’s victims were children who had come there to have fun.

The VOA reported that firefighters could be seen in footage clearing the debris of the collapsed tin structure, which reportedly housed the bowling, go-karting, and trampoline sections in the amusement park owned by Yuvraj Singh Solanki.

The death toll may rise as firefighters continue rescue efforts at the site of the blaze, the mayor of Rajkot district, Yuvraj Singh Solanki, told Reuters. 

Some of the bodies recovered from the incident were burnt beyond recognition.

“Our focus is on rescue operations and saving lives. We will ensure strict action is taken against the people who are responsible for this incident,” Mr Pedhadiya said.

The cause of the fire outbreak has yet to be determined. But police commissioner Raju Bhargava said the force would file a negligence charge against the park owner, and a special team would investigate the incident.

“Extremely distressed by the fire mishap in Rajkot. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones,” Modi said in the post,” India Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on social media platform X.