Fire kills nearly 21 teenagers in Surat

A severe fire that has broken out at a coaching centre in Surat has taken at least twenty one lives, mostly teenagers. As the fire has entirely engulfed the building in which the coaching centre exist, the students who have been in the coaching centre situated in the fourth floor of the building have had no other option other than jumping off the building. Unfortunately, among the dead, there are at least four who have jumped off the four storey building.

The Gujarat government has announced an investigation into the matter. It has also ordered the shutdown of all coaching centres situated in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Gandhinagar and Vadodara. The coaching centres are likely to remain shut until the government orders otherwise.

The government has also announced a compensation of 4 lakh as an immediate relief for the family members of each victims.

All prominent national leaders including the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Rahul Ganhdi and BJP President Amit Shah have extended their condolences to the affected families which have lost their dear ones due to this unfortunate incident.

It is high time to bring in a system to monitor the working of coaching centres across the country. It is the state’s duty to ensure the safety of its citizens.

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