Rajnath Singh leaves for Lucknow, will visit the fire incident site and meet the injured at KGMU
New Delhi, June 22
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday left for Lucknow, shortly after he was briefed on the Lucknow coaching institute fire in the Aliganj area, which claimed 15 lives.
Singh will first visit the site of the fire incident to take stock of the situation. He will then proceed to King George's Medical University (KGMU) to meet the injured and enquire about their condition. At KGMU, he is also expected to hold a review meeting with officials regarding the incident and ongoing treatment.
The death toll in the Lucknow coaching institute fire in the Aliganj area rose to 15, with medical experts stating that most of the deaths in the incident were caused by suffocation.
The fire broke out in a building housing a library and a computer training institute in the Aliganj area of Lucknow.
Speaking to ANI, Prem Raj Singh, MS King George Medical University (KGMU) said, "15 people were already dead when they were brought to the hospital. The bodies have been sent to the mortuary for a post-mortem. 7-8 other people were also brought in. Two of them sustained minor injuries. One young man appears to have suffered a spinal injury; our doctors are currently treating him."
"Another young woman has an injury to her leg, and she is being examined as well. They all appear to be around 25-27 years old. Most of the deaths were caused by suffocation," Singh said.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said he had directed senior officials to visit the site and submit a report.
"I have directed the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of Uttar Pradesh to visit the site personally and submit a report on the matter. We will get to the bottom of the incident, ensure the guilty are punished," he asserted, adding that he would undertake a separate visit to Aligarh at a later date.
After returning to Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath visited King George's Medical University (KGMU) and met the family members of those affected by the fire incident.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The victims were young students, around 25-27 years old—just starting their careers. This is a massive failure of the administration. Building owners and institute operators must be held accountable. Yogi ji's directive for a report is fine, but we need swift action and compensation for families. 🙏
Rajnath Singh going to the site and hospital is a good gesture, but real work starts now. We need a thorough investigation and compensation for the bereaved families. Also, are there no fire exits in these buildings? Such negligence in a city like Lucknow is unacceptable. Modi ji should also take note personally.
Every parent's nightmare. These young people go to coaching institutes for a better future, and end up dying due to lack of basic safety. The government should ban all coaching centers that don't have proper fire safety equipment and clear evacuation plans. This is not the first such incident in UP. 🤬
The defence minister visiting is one thing, but what about compensation? The families of those 15 kids need immediate financial help and a job for one member. Also, why are these institutes allowed to operate in such cramped buildings? Regulations in India are a joke. Hope the guilty are punished severely.
This is so sad. Students go to coaching institutes in cities like Lucknow, leaving their villages and towns, and this happens. The fire safety rules in India are only on paper. Rajnath ji's visit is a photo op unless follow-up happens. Yogi ji should also conduct surprise checks on all such buildings in UP.