At least 23 people, including tourists, were killed in a fire at a popular nightclub in the Indian state of Goa, the state’s chief minister said on Sunday.
The fire occurred shortly after midnight in Arpora, North Goa, a party hub.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said most of the dead were kitchen workers at the club, along with three or four tourists.
The fire occurred due to the explosion of a gas cylinder and was extinguished, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing local police. All the bodies have been found.
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Sawant said the state government would conduct an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety norms and building regulations were followed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a social media post, called the incident deeply saddening and said he had spoken with Sawant about the situation. He said the state government was “providing all possible assistance to those affected” while extending condolences to the families of the victims.
Accidents involving gas cylinders are not uncommon in India and often result in casualties, underscoring the need for authorities to implement strict safety protocols and regulatory oversight.
The western coastal state of Goa is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its sandy beaches.
