Surat: Tragedy struck at a coaching center in Sarthana area of Surat, Gujarat today with 15 students feared killed. The coaching center was located on the third and fourth floor of a commercial building. Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the tragedy.
Surat Police Commissioner, Satish Kumar Mishra, said, “Fifteen people have died in the fire, toll may rise.”
The Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani, has ordered an investigation into the incident and also declared financial help of Rs. 4 lakh to the families who lost their children in the fire that engulfed the coaching center.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the incident and has asked the authorities to give all assistance to those affected.
He tweeted, “Extremely anguished by the fire tragedy in Surat. My thoughts are with bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Have asked the Gujarat Government and local authorities to provide all possible assistance to those affected.”
Officials say that 19 fire tenders and two hydraulic platforms were pressed into service to put out the fire. Locals also joined in the rescue operations. Officials also say that top floor of the building is evacuated and that nobody is trapped there any longer.
Meanwhile, horrific videos of students jumping from the top floor to escape the intense fire is being circulated in social media. Some are seen falling down while trying to scale the walls of the building. One local is seen trying to save students who were seen trying to escape through the windows.