December 6, 2025 / 11:46 PM EST / AP
At least 23 people, including tourists, were killed in a fire that swept through a popular nightclub in Arpora in North Goa just past midnight, Goa’s chief minister said Sunday.
Pramod Sawant said most of those killed were the club’s kitchen workers and that three to four of the dead were tourists. Local police, quoted by the Press Trust of India, said the blaze was caused by a gas cylinder blast. The fire has been extinguished and all the bodies have been recovered.
Sawant said the state government will hold an inquiry to determine the exact cause and whether fire safety rules and building regulations were followed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “deeply saddening,” said he spoke with Sawant, and offered condolences while noting the state government is providing all possible assistance.
Gas cylinder accidents are not uncommon in India and often lead to casualties, highlighting calls for stricter safety protocols and regulatory oversight. The western coastal state of Goa, known for its beaches, is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations.