At least 25 people were killed after a fire swept through a popular nightclub in the coastal state of Goa on Saturday.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said in a post on X early Sunday that he had visited the site of the “major fire” in the Arpora area of North Goa and had ordered a full inquiry into the incident.
“Those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law — any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office announced that the families of the victims would receive compensation of up to 200,000 rupees ($2,200), according to dw.com
Sawant told reporters that “three to four” tourists were among the dead. He said three victims died from burn injuries, while the remaining 20 succumbed to suffocation. Six people were injured but are in stable condition.
Initial findings suggest the fire began after a gas cylinder exploded in the kitchen, according to Goa police chief Alok Kumar.
The blaze broke out around midnight and was later brought under control.
Kumar said most of the bodies were found in the kitchen area on the ground floor, indicating that many of the victims were employees. Two bodies were recovered on the staircase.
Goa, a former Portuguese colony famed for its beaches, nightlife, and tropical climate, attracts millions of tourists each year. The fire occurred during the peak winter tourism season.
Speaking to the Indian Express, a Goa police official said that many of the guests had been gathered on the first floor for a DJ set when a fire started at about 11.45pm
He said: “In the ensuing panic and chaos, many guests ran towards the exit and reached safety. The staff members working in the basement were effectively trapped because it lacked an exit and was engulfed in smoke. Some guests also seem to have rushed towards the basement and got trapped.”
The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, described the fire as “deeply saddening”.
Goa politician Michael Lobo called for a fire safety audit of all the clubs. “Tourists have always considered Goa a very safe destination. The fire incident is quite disturbing, and such incidents should not happen in the future,” he said.
