A deadly fire at a popular nightclub in Arpora, Goa, has killed at least 25 people, including four tourists and 14 staff members, local officials said. The blaze began around midnight on Sunday after a gas cylinder exploded inside the building, according to police.
More than 50 people were injured, and many were taken to nearby hospitals as firefighters and rescue teams struggled to control the flames. Images shared online showed thick smoke rising from the structure and emergency workers carrying victims to ambulances.
Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a full investigation, saying officials would look into the cause of the fire and identify those responsible. He said any negligence will be met with “stringent action.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had spoken to Sawant and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. He also announced compensation for those affected: 200,000 rupees for each family that lost a loved one and 50,000 rupees for the injured.
Authorities said some victims died from severe burns while others died from suffocation. Local reports said at least three women were among the dead, and all bodies have been recovered. A security guard near the nightclub told ANI news agency that the fire started after a loud explosion from a gas cylinder.
Goa is one of India’s busiest tourist destinations, drawing millions of visitors each year. But fires remain common across the country due to weak safety measures, poor construction, and overcrowded buildings. Recent tragedies in Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Gujarat have raised concerns about enforcement of fire-safety rules.
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