GOA, India — A devastating fire engulfed a nightclub in the popular Indian tourist resort region of Goa, claiming the lives of at least 25 people and leaving several others injured.
The blaze broke out around midnight at the Birch nightclub in Arpora, a town in the north of the coastal state known for its vibrant nightlife.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the tragic toll on Sunday, noting that foreign visitors were among the victims.
“Today is a very painful day for all of us,” Chief Minister Sawant said in a statement. “25 people have lost their lives and six have been injured.”
Speaking to journalists later, Sawant specified that “three to four” tourists were among the dead, though he did not immediately disclose their nationalities.
Fatal ‘fire show’ suspected
Preliminary reports suggest the disaster may have been triggered by live entertainment gone wrong inside the venue. Nitin V. Raiker, Goa’s fire chief, told broadcaster CNN News18 that the layout of the building contributed to the high fatality rate.
“Most people died due to suffocation in the basement and kitchen area,” Raiker said.
He explained that authorities are investigating reports that a performance involving fire was taking place at the time the blaze started.
“I received information that there was a club party going on, and a fire show was organised in the club. The wooden parts of the club caught fire, and smoke spread throughout the building,” Raiker detailed.
Video footage from the Press Trust of India showed emergency responders struggling to carry victims down the venue’s narrow stone staircase.
Inquiry ordered
Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement describing the deaths as “deeply saddening.” Meanwhile, state authorities have promised a full investigation into safety lapses at the venue.
“I have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the entire incident to identify the cause and fix responsibility,” Chief Minister Sawant added.
A pattern of tragedies
Goa, a former Portuguese colony, attracts millions of international and domestic tourists annually with its beaches and relaxed atmosphere.
However, this incident highlights a recurring issue with fire safety standards in India, where overcrowding and poor regulation often lead to deadly outcomes.
Also Read: Nine-year-old girl dies in Limuru house fire while parents attend funeral
The Goa disaster follows a string of similar tragedies across the country. In May, a fire in a three-storey building in Hyderabad killed 17 people.
A month prior, a hotel fire in Kolkata claimed at least 15 lives, forcing guests to climb out of windows to survive.
Last year, a blaze at a crowded amusement park in Gujarat resulted in the deaths of at least 24 people.
