23 Dead, Over 50 Injured in Nightclub Inferno

A late-night fire at a popular nightclub in Goa has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, throwing the coastal Indian state into mourning. 

The blaze, which erupted around midnight at a club in Arpora, North Goa, left both locals and tourists among the victims, according to officials quoted by the Press Trust of India.

“Today is a very painful day for all of us in Goa. A major fire incident at Arpora has taken the lives of 23 people,” Sawant wrote on X.

The Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, said he had visited the scene and ordered a probe into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

“I visited the incident site and have ordered an inquiry,” he said.

“Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law — any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”

Sawant later told journalists that “three to four” tourists were among the casualties but did not disclose their nationalities. 

He confirmed that three victims succumbed to severe burns while the others died from suffocation.

“It’s a tragic incident that should never have happened. The business was operating without proper permission, and that negligence led to the fire,” he said.

Footage released by PTI captured rescue personnel struggling through the narrow stone staircase of the Birch nightclub as victims were carried out on stretchers while police and emergency workers cordoned off the area.

Goa, long famed for its vibrant nightlife and serene beaches, attracts millions of visitors annually. But the state, like much of India, continues to grapple with recurrent fire disasters linked to poor building standards and weak enforcement of safety rules.

Local reports indicated that investigators were examining whether a “cylinder blast” may have triggered the fire, although authorities stressed that further checks were ongoing. 

PTI also quoted a local lawmaker, Michael Lobo, who confirmed that fire and police teams worked through the night in rescue operations. 

He added that similar facilities would undergo fire safety audits to avert future disasters.

India has witnessed a spate of deadly fires in recent months. In May, a blaze in Hyderabad claimed 17 lives, while another incident in Kolkata the previous month left at least 15 dead as panicked hotel guests scrambled through windows and rooftops. 

Last year, 24 people were killed after a fire swept through a crowded amusement arcade in Gujarat, a tragedy officials blamed on inadequate safety measures and a collapsed temporary structure that blocked escape routes.