At least 23 dead in nightclub fire in India

At least 23 people, including tourists, died in a fire at a popular nightclub in the Indian state of Goa, the state’s chief minister said on Sunday.

The fire broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, north Goa, a party hub.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said most of the dead were the club’s kitchen workers, as well as three to four tourists.

The fire occurred due to the explosion of a gas cylinder and has since been extinguished, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing local police. All the bodies have been recovered.

Sawant said the state government will conduct an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety standards and building regulations were followed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a social media post, called the incident deeply sad and said he spoke to Sawant about the situation. He said the state government “is providing all possible assistance to those affected” and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.

Accidents involving gas cylinders are not uncommon in India and often result in casualties, underscoring the need for authorities to implement strict safety protocols and regulatory oversight.

The western coastal state of Goa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, known for its sandy beaches.