At least 23 killed in Goa nightclub fire

Fire engulfs a night club in Goa qt midnight on Sunday. Photo Agency

Goa, India, Dec 7 — At least 23 people, including tourists and kitchen staff, were killed in a fire at a popular nightclub in Arpora village, North Goa, after a gas cylinder exploded around midnight Sunday, officials said.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that three victims died from burn injuries while the remainder succumbed to suffocation. At least three of the deceased were women. Sawant visited the site and ordered an inquiry, promising strict legal action against those found responsible.

Images and videos shared on social media showed thick smoke and flames engulfing the low-rise building, with rescue personnel evacuating victims to emergency vehicles. A nearby security guard said the explosion triggered the blaze.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to families of the victims, wishing a swift recovery to the injured.

Goa, a popular tourist destination on India’s Arabian Sea coast, has experienced several deadly fires in recent years, often blamed on poor safety standards, overcrowding, and lax building regulations. In May, a fire in Hyderabad killed 17 people, while a blaze in a Kolkata hotel a month earlier claimed 15 lives. Last year, a fire at a crowded amusement park in Gujarat killed 24.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the Arpora nightclub fire, as locals and tourists mourn the tragedy. - UNB