Young Breadwinner Among Victims
Among those who lost their lives was 21-year-old Abdul Rahman, an employee at the centre and the sole earning member of his family. His father, Afzal, has been paralysed for several years, while his mother, Fahmida, is a homemaker.
“Abdul was the only earning member of the family. Everything depended on him. His father is bedridden, and he worked hard to support the household,” said Salman Siddique, a close friend of the family.
Final Phone Call from the Fire Site
In another heartbreaking case, Prabhjot Singh, a resident of Alambagh, recalled a final phone call from his son, Sukhmani Singh, made as smoke engulfed the building.
“Papa, please save me. I don’t think I will survive. We are suffocating,” the son reportedly said during the call.
Singh rushed to the location and searched for hours, showing his son’s photograph to rescuers, police personnel, and bystanders. Despite his efforts, he later learned that his son had died in the blaze. He described Sukhmani as a cheerful young man who aspired to become an animator in the film industry.
Another Family Shattered
Mohammad Imran also confirmed the death of his 19-year-old son, Mohammad Shahzan, in the fire. Shahzan was Imran’s only son and had three sisters.
“The loss is unbearable,” Imran said, describing the tragedy that has left his family devastated.
Student Initially Reported Missing
Another victim, initially reported missing, had called during the fire saying he was trapped and pleading for help. Rescue efforts continued as his mother, Kalpana Srivastava, rushed to the scene searching desperately for information. Overcome with grief, she later confirmed his death after learning that he did not survive despite ongoing rescue operations.
Scenes of Grief at Hospital
At KGMU Trauma Centre, relatives gathered throughout the day as bodies were brought in for identification. Many broke down while confirming the identities of their loved ones, struggling to cope with the sudden and tragic loss amid crowded hospital corridors.
