SRINAGAR: At least 23 people were killed when a fire broke out at a popular nightclub in Goa’s Arpora area on Saturday, officials said. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the toll early on Sunday, stating that he had inspected the site of what he described on X as a “major fire” and had ordered a formal inquiry.
Sawant warned that “those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law,” adding that any negligence would be dealt with “firmly”. He told reporters at the scene that “three to four” tourists were among the victims. According to him, three people died of burn injuries, while 20 others succumbed to suffocation.
The Indian Express, citing Goa police chief Alok Kumar, reported that preliminary investigations indicate the blaze began after a gas cylinder exploded in the kitchen. Kumar said the fire started around midnight and was later brought under control. He noted that most bodies were recovered from the ground-floor kitchen area, suggesting many of the victims were staff, while two bodies were found on a staircase.
The tragedy struck during Goa’s peak winter tourism season. The coastal state, a former Portuguese colony, attracts millions of visitors each year with its beaches, warm climate and nightlife. -(KL)
