A devastating fire engulfed a well-known nightclub in Goa, India, claiming the lives of 25 individuals, including tourists, as confirmed by the state’s chief minister on Sunday. The tragic incident occurred shortly after midnight in Arpora village, located in North Goa, a popular party destination approximately 25 kilometers from Panaji, the state capital.
Most of the casualties were reported to be the club’s kitchen staff, alongside three to four tourists, with six individuals sustaining injuries but currently in stable condition. The fire, triggered by a gas cylinder explosion, has been extinguished, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. Witnesses recounted that the blaze started on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 partygoers were present on the dance floor. Amid the chaos, several people fled to the kitchen below but became trapped along with the staff.
Eyewitness Fatima Shaikh described the panic that ensued as flames erupted, leading everyone to evacuate the premises only to witness the entire structure engulfed in flames. The nightclub, situated alongside the Arpora River backwaters, posed challenges for firefighters due to its narrow entry and exit points, forcing them to park their tankers about 400 meters away, thus delaying the firefighting efforts.
Chief Minister Sawant disclosed that the club had violated fire safety regulations, prompting the state government to launch an inquiry to determine the fire’s exact cause and hold responsible parties accountable. He emphasized that actions would be taken against the management and officials who allowed the club to operate despite safety violations. Local authorities had previously issued a demolition notice for the club, which lacked a government construction permit, but the order was rescinded by higher-ranking officials.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sadness over the incident in a social media post, assuring that the government is providing all necessary assistance while extending condolences to the victims’ families. Tragic accidents, often involving gas cylinders and electrical faults, are not uncommon in India, highlighting the critical need for stringent safety measures to be enforced by authorities.
Rahul Gandhi, a prominent leader of India’s main opposition Congress party, condemned the incident as a failure of safety and governance, calling for a thorough investigation to establish accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future. Global Affairs Canada also conveyed sympathies, confirming no impact on Canadian citizens and expressing solidarity with the affected individuals and their loved ones.
Following the fire, Indian authorities initiated an investigation and offered compensation to the victims. Chief Minister Sawant announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident to ascertain the cause and assign responsibility, mentioning that the injured individuals were receiving necessary medical care. Prime Minister Modi pledged financial support to the victims’ families and the injured, providing compensation of up to 200,000 rupees ($3,077 Cdn) per family and 50,000 rupees ($770 Cdn) per injured person.
Goa, a favored tourist spot renowned for its sandy beaches, attracted around 5.5 million visitors, including 271,000 international tourists, in the first half of the year, according to government data.