At least 25 individuals, including some tourists, lost their lives in a fire at a well-known nightclub in Goa, India, as announced by the state’s chief minister on Sunday.
The blaze erupted shortly after midnight in Arpora village, which is a popular area for partying and is located about 25 miles from Panaji, the state capital.
According to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the victims primarily comprised kitchen staff at the nightclub along with three or four tourists.
Six others sustained injuries, but fortunately, their conditions are reported to be stable. All bodies have been accounted for.
Local news agency Press Trust of India reported, referencing law enforcement, that the fire was triggered by an explosion from a gas cylinder and has since been put out.
However, eyewitnesses claimed that the flames initially broke out on the first floor of the club where many tourists were dancing.
Reports indicated that around 100 people were on the dance floor when the incident occurred, and some sought refuge in the kitchen downstairs during the panic, becoming trapped along with the staff.
Witness Fatima Shaikh recounted the chaos, stating, “We rushed out of the club and saw the whole building on fire,” as the commotion ensued.
The nightclub is situated along the backwaters of the Arpora River, but it has narrow entrances and exits, which hampered firefighters’ efforts as they had to park their tankers about 400 meters away.
Local officials mentioned that restricted access made it more difficult to combat the flames.
Chief Minister Sawant labeled the event an “unfortunate incident during the peak tourist season,” pointing out that the club had breached fire safety regulations.
He declared that the state government would investigate to clarify the fire’s cause and hold those accountable, indicating that the government would pursue actions against the nightclub’s management and officials who permitted it to operate despite known violations.
Roshan Redkar, a local council official, noted that authorities had previously issued a demolition notice to the club due to a lack of construction permits. However, he mentioned that senior officials had later retracted the order.
Enforcement of regulations in India tends to be lax, with some officials and contractors cutting corners, which contributes to safety risks.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow through a social media post, mentioning that he had discussed the situation with Sawant. He extended his condolences to the victims’ families, assuring that the state government was offering support to those impacted.
Accidents related to gas cylinders and electrical malfunctions are not uncommon in India, frequently resulting in injuries and fatalities, underscoring the necessity for stricter safety protocols.
Goa, situated on India’s west coast, remains one of the country’s most favored tourist spots, renowned for its picturesque beaches.
