Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
A devastating fire at a popular nightclub in the Indian state of Goa has killed 25 people, including several tourists. The tragic incident took place after midnight on Sunday in Arpora village, a famous party hub about 25 km from the state capital Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed severe damage and said most of the dead were kitchen staff, along with three to four tourists. Six people were injured but their condition is said to be stable, all the bodies have now been recovered.
Initial reports by the Press Trust of India news agency, citing local police, said the fire was caused by a gas cylinder explosion. However, witnesses offered a different account, telling the agency that the fire broke out on the first floor of the club, where about 100 tourists were on the dance floor. In the ensuing panic, several people reportedly ran down into the kitchen area, and trapped the staff. Fatima Sheikh, a witness, said: “We came out of the club and saw that the entire structure was engulfed in flames.”
The nightclub, located along the backwaters of the Arpora River, reportedly had a narrow entry and exit, forcing firefighters to park their tankers about 400 meters away and significantly hampering initial efforts.
Chief Minister Sawant revealed that the establishment had violated fire safety rules, prompting the state government to launch an investigation into the exact cause and assign responsibility. He promised action against the management of the club and any officials who allowed it to operate despite the violations.
Adding to the concerns, local village council official Roshan Redkar revealed that authorities had earlier issued a demolition notice for the club due to lack of construction permit, but the order was later overturned by higher authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the fire as “deeply saddening” in a social media post, confirming that he had spoken to Chief Minister Sawant and that the government was “providing all possible assistance” while offering condolences.
Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of India’s main opposition Congress party, condemned the incident, saying, “This is not just an accident; this is a criminal failure of security and governance.” He called for a transparent investigation “to determine accountability and ensure that such preventable tragedies do not happen again.”
The incident underlines the persistent issue of safety standards in India, where accidents, especially those involving gas cylinders and electrical short circuits, frequently lead to casualties. Goa, a western coastal state, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, famous for its sandy beaches.