Fire rips through nightclub killing 25 including several tourists
Dozens of people have been killed after fire took over a popular nightclub in India’s coastal state of Goa.
At least 25 people including some tourists have been killed after the blaze broke out just past midnight in Arpora, a hub for parties.
Most of the dead were the club’s kitchen workers, as well as three to four tourists. Six people were injured and are in stable condition, Goa’s chief minister Pramod Sawant said. All bodies are thought to have now been recovered.
Photos this morning show the burnt remains of the riverside nightclub, gutted by flames but with a sign outside still advertisig DJ sets at ‘the island club’.
The fire occurred due to a gas cylinder blast, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, quoting local police.
It said at least 100 people were on the club’s dancefloor when the fire broke out and several rushed to the kitchen below in the chaos and got trapped along with staff.
The nightclub, located along the Arpora river backwaters, had a narrow entry and exit that forced the fire brigade to park its tankers about 400 metres away, the news agency said. The restricted access delayed firefighting efforts, it reported.
Local village council official Roshan Redkar said authorities had earlier issued a demolition notice for the club as it had no construction permit from the government, but higher officials rolled back the order.
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident to determine what caused it, and whether fire safety norms and building regulations were followed, chief minister Mr Sawant said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: ‘The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa is deeply saddening.
‘My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest.
‘Spoke to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.