A fire at a nightclub in the west Indian state of Goa has killed at least 23 people, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other officials said early Sunday.
Several tourists were among the dead in the blaze, which broke out at about midnight at a club in Arpora in North Goa district, according to officials cited by the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.
“Today is a very painful day for all of us in Goa. A major fire incident at Arpora has taken the lives of 23 people,” Sawant wrote on X.
“I visited the incident site and have ordered an inquiry,” he said.
“Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law — any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”
Sawant told journalists at the scene that “three to four” tourists had died, without giving their nationalities.
Three people died from burn injuries, while the others died from suffocation, he said.
“It’s a tragic incident that should never have happened. The business was operating without proper permission, and that negligence led to the fire,” he said.
Video images from PTI showed rescuers carrying injured or deceased people on stretchers down the narrow stone staircase of the Birch nightclub as police, paramedics and onlookers gathered on the street.
Goa, a former Portuguese colony on the shores of the Arabian Sea, lures millions of tourists every year with its nightlife, sandy beaches and laid-back coastal atmosphere.
But fires are common in India due to poor building practices, overcrowding and a lack of adherence to safety regulations.
Local media, citing police officials, say the fire was suspected to have been started by a “cylinder blast” but added that further investigation was required.
PTI quoted local legislator Michael Lobo as saying firefighters and police were engaged in rescue efforts through the night.
Lobo added that officials would conduct a fire safety audit at similar venues to prevent such incidents.
