Newsroom
A midnight fire triggered by a gas cylinder explosion at a popular nightclub in Arpora killed at least 25 people, including four tourists and 14 staff members, officials said Sunday. Another 50 people were injured.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant ordered a magisterial inquiry and vowed “stringent action” if negligence is found. He said three victims died of burns, while the others succumbed to suffocation. The bodies of all victims have been recovered, according to the ANI news agency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (about $2,200) for families of the dead and 50,000 rupees ($550) for the injured. “The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa, is deeply saddening,” Modi said on X.
Witnesses reported hearing a “massive explosion” before flames engulfed the low-rise building. Images and video on social media showed rescue crews carrying victims to emergency vehicles as thick smoke billowed from the site.
Goa, one of India’s top tourist destinations, draws millions of visitors each year. Deadly fires remain common across the country, often blamed on lax safety standards and overcrowded buildings. Recent blazes in Hyderabad, Kolkata and Gujarat have killed dozens.
