At least 25 people have died following a fire at a popular nightclub in Goa, India, local officials confirmed.
Authorities say most of the victims were staff members at the Arpora club, with some tourists also among those killed.
Police believe the blaze, which erupted around midnight on Saturday, was triggered by a gas cylinder explosion in the club’s kitchen.
On Sunday morning, officials raised the death toll from 23 to 25. Six others remain hospitalized in stable condition. Witnesses told the BBC that panic engulfed the busy nightlife area as the fire spread.
“The fire was mainly concentrated around the kitchen area on the ground floor,” said Alok Kumar, Goa’s Director General of Police.
“The fire occurred around midnight. It has now been brought under control.”
Authorities noted that most bodies were discovered near the kitchen, indicating that the majority of the victims were club employees.
Goa’s chief minister, Pramod Sawant, told reporters that three people died from burn injuries, while others perished due to suffocation.
He added that “three to four” tourists were among the dead but did not disclose their ages or nationalities.
The blaze broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane, located at Baga, one of Goa’s busiest coastal areas, the Indian Express reported.
The surrounding streets are lined with other nightclubs and entertainment venues, which are often crowded with tourists.
A chef from a nearby club told the BBC he personally knew some of the workers at Birch.
“People from all over the country and also from Nepal work in different clubs in Goa,” he said.
“I am really worried for some people who I knew at the club. Their phones are off.”
Rescue operations continued into the early hours of Sunday, with crews sifting through the charred remains to establish the cause of the fire.
A heavy security presence blocked entry to the club. The BBC observed melted and charred furniture, including chairs, tables, and plants.
One eyewitness described the moments when the fire broke out:
“I was outside the club when I heard screams, I didn’t initially understand what was going on.
“In a bit, it became clear that a massive fire had broken out. Nobody could do much. The scenes were just horrific.”
Victims were transported to Goa Medical College in Panaji. A firefighter at the scene said authorities are still identifying the deceased before notifying their families.
A formal investigation into the fire has been launched. The chief minister vowed accountability:
“Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” said Dr Sawant.
“I am deeply grieved and offer my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families in this hour of unimaginable loss.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tragedy as “deeply saddening” in a social media post.
Goa, a former Portuguese colony on the Arabian Sea, attracts millions of tourists annually with its beaches, resorts, and vibrant nightlife.
Government data shows that around 5.5 million tourists visited Goa in the first half of the year, including 270,000 international visitors.
India has experienced several deadly fires in entertainment venues in recent years. In May, a fire in a three-story building in Hyderabad claimed 17 lives, while a hotel fire in Kolkata a month earlier killed 15.
Last year, 24 people died at an amusement park arcade in Gujarat when a temporary structure collapsed at the entrance. A subsequent official review cited poor safety standards as a contributing factor to the higher death toll.
