‘Extremely Anguished’: PM Modi, Rahul Condole Surat Fire Tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 24 May, expressed anguish over the fire tragedy in Surat and asked the Gujarat government and local authorities to provide all possible assistance to those affected.

At least 20 students of a coaching class were killed when they jumped off a commercial complex after it caught fire Friday afternoon.

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2019

Congress President Rahul Gandhi also condoled the deaths.

सुरत, गुजरात में हुये इस हादसे की ख़बर से बहुत दुःख पहुंचा है।

पीड़ित परिवारों के प्रति, मैं गहरी शोक और संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ।

घायलों के जल्द से जल्द स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूँ। https://t.co/RWnH8dJTdP

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 24, 2019

The fire engulfed the third and fourth floor of the Taxshila Complex in Surat. Visuals on TV channels showed students jumping off the third and fourth floors of the building.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed condolences, adding that he has instructed the officials to do the needful.

Deeply saddened by the news of Surat fire tragedy. Instructed officials to do needful. My prayers are with all those affected. May those who have been injured recover at the earliest. I pray for the departed souls. Om Shanti.

— Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) May 24, 2019

Home Minister Rajnath Singh condoled the deaths as well.

Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives due to fire in Surat. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 24, 2019

Congress’ Randeep Surjewala and Ahmed Patel joined the other leaders in condoling the deaths, but urged the government in Gujarat to take swift measures to provide required assistance.

Anguished to learn about the fire tragedy in Surat where 15 people have lost their lives and several have been injured.

My thoughts are with the families of the victims.

Urge the state government & authorities to take swift measures and provide all requisite assistance. https://t.co/DSsGfK5bnL

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) May 24, 2019

Saddened by the loss of lives in Surat

My thoughts and prayers are with their families

I appeal to local authorities to provide best possible medical relief to the injured, adequate compensation to families of deceased & ensure fire safety means are in place across Gujarat

— Ahmed Patel (@ahmedpatel) May 24, 2019

‘Like the Uphaar Tragedy’

People on Twitter pointed that the fire in Surat was like the Uphaar theatre tragedy in Delhi and questioned who takes responsibility for such incidents.

We've seen this happen over and over again. From the Uphaar theatre tragedy in Delhi to the AMRI hospital fire in Kolkata to the Kamla Mills Fire in Mumbai. To this fire in Surat today. Lives lost. Who takes responsibility?

— Kiran Manral (@KiranManral) May 24, 2019

The fire video of Surat’s tuition classes is very horrible .... we can’t give permissions without fire safety.

— Rj Harshil (@RjHarshil) May 24, 2019

This is horrible and heartbreaking. It reminds of Uphaar Tragedy and yet no learning from it.
Imagine parents who sent their child for study and now will wait forever for their return. #SuratFire. https://t.co/SKHO65dEjn

— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) May 24, 2019