December 6, 2025 — At least 23 people, including several tourists, died after a fire swept through a popular nightclub in Arpora in North Goa just past midnight, authorities said.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said most of those killed were kitchen staff and that three to four of the victims were tourists. Local police, quoted by the Press Trust of India, said the blaze was triggered by a gas cylinder blast. The fire has been extinguished and all bodies recovered.
Sawant said the state government will launch an inquiry to establish the exact cause and to determine whether fire safety rules and building regulations had been followed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as deeply saddening, spoke with Sawant, offered condolences and said the state government is providing all possible assistance.
Gas cylinder accidents are not uncommon in India and frequently cause fatalities, renewing calls for stricter safety protocols and tighter regulatory oversight. Goa, a western coastal state famed for its beaches and nightlife, is one of the country’s top tourist destinations.