NEW DELHI, May 28 (Xinhua) -- After last week's tragic fire incident killing more than 20 persons, mostly young students, in western city of Surat, the local administration is carrying out a demolition drive against illegally constructed buildings, an official said to Xinhua.

The coaching centre where fire broke out on May 24 was being allegedly run in an illegal building. It was located on the fourth floor of the illegal building from where young students, including girls, could be seen jumping in a bid to save their lives.

"The demolition drive is being carried out by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC). As many as 97 buildings which have illegal structures were demolished all over the city on May 27 which included the domes and shades," said the official on the condition of anonymity.

According to him, on May 26, nearly 16 illegal constructions were razed. The total area which got cleared that day was around 42,000 square feet, he added.