Three killed in Lucknow coaching centre fire, CM Yogi orders swift rescue operations
Lucknow, June 22
At least three persons were killed as a fire broke out at a coaching centre in Purania area of Lucknow's Aliganj on Monday, while many students were trapped inside the building, officials said.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered senior officials to rush to the spot and directed a swift rescue operation.
Eight fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and firemen broke down a building wall to evacuate trapped victims, including two dozen students, the police said.
Shakeel Ahmed, a student's elder brother, rushed to the spot with other guardians of the students.
"My younger brother is trapped inside. The last message we received from him on the phone was that he was rushing towards the washroom to escape the fire and smoke," he said.
As firemen battled the blaze, some students could be seen jumping from higher floors to escape the flames.
The injured were rushed to the King George Medical University's (KGMU) Trauma Centre.
Adityanath also monitored the situation and received continuous updates on the rescue operation carried out by the firefighters.
A team of specialist doctors and six ambulances were stationed at the fire spot to offer first-aid and rush the injured to hospitals, the police said.
An official from the Chief Minister's Office said that soon after receiving information about the incident, CM Adityanath directed the officials concerned to immediately reach the spot and assess the situation.
Necessary guidelines were also issued to the officials to expedite relief and rescue operations, said the CMO official.
The Chief Minister also directed that immediate and adequate medical facilities be provided to the injured.
"The administration has been asked to remain vigilant at all levels and keep a constant watch on the situation. Instructions have also been given to ensure continuous monitoring of relief and rescue operations," the CMO functionary said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
🙏 Praying for the families. The fact that students were trapped inside with no clear escape route is terrifying. Coaching centres in India need to prioritize safety over profits. CM Yogi should also hold the building owners accountable.
As a parent, this is my worst nightmare. We send our children to coaching centres hoping they'll build a future, not lose their lives. The authorities must ensure every such building has fire NOCs and emergency plans. Kudos to the rescue teams for breaking the wall to save lives, but why was it necessary?
The Chief Minister's quick action is commendable, but this tragedy was preventable. Every coaching centre in Uttar Pradesh should now undergo mandatory safety audits. Also, the student who jumped from higher floors—how desperate must that situation have been? We need to talk about mental and physical safety in these crowded centres.
😤 These incidents keep repeating despite clear regulations. Coaching centres operate in buildings that were never designed for such occupancy. Yogi ji should set a deadline for all coaching centres to secure fire safety certificates, or face closure. Three lives lost—that's three families shattered.
The rescue operation seems well-coordinated, but the fire safety infrastructure in our country is a joke. Eight fire tenders? In a city like Lucknow, where are the aerial ladders for high-rise rescues? We need modern firefighting equipment and regular fire drills in educational establishments.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.