At least 25 people have been killed after a fire at a Goa nightclub, police in the Indian state have said.
The blaze reportedly started around midnight on Saturday local time. It took place at a venue in Arpora village, a party hub in North Goa.
The fire reportedly started around midnight on Saturday local time
The government of Goa has confirmed that 20 of the people killed were staff at the nightclub and five were domestic tourists. Four of the tourists were from Delhi and the fifth was from the state of Karnataka, which borders Goa.
Videos on social media showed emergency services lining up to help the injured – some of whom were taken to nearby hospitals.
The majority of victims were kitchen staff at the club – although around three to four tourists are thought to be among those killed.
Dr Pramod Sawant, Goa’s chief minister, said: “I am deeply grieved and offer my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families in this hour of unimaginable loss.”
He later said he was “closely reviewing the situation arising from the tragic fire” – adding six additional people had been injured.
“All six injured persons are in a stable condition and are receiving the best medical care,” he said.
Authorities worked through the night to bring the situation under control and all bodies have been recovered, the state’s police chief told reporters, according to Reuters news agency.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the deadly fire was “deeply saddening”.
He said he had spoken to Goa’s chief minister and that “the state government is providing all possible assistance to those affected”.
Pic: AP
Dr Sawant said he has “ordered an inquiry” to discover what happened after visiting the site.
“The inquiry will examine the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety norms and building rules were followed,” he said.
“Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”
A tragedy that will hit Goa’s tourist appeal
Too many lives are lost due to negligence, violation of safety norms, unregulated public spaces and corruption. The tragedy at the Goa nightclub is just another example.
There are allegations that the ‘island club’ did not have proper construction licence and safety norms were not followed.
A demolition notice was served which was stopped upon appeal.
The club was built on a salt plan in an eco-sensitive site and had just one narrow entry and exit.
Firefighting trucks and emergency had access only up to 400 meters from the site.
The chief minister, Pramod Sawant, has set up a magisterial enquiry into the incident and promised to take action against the guilty.
The manager has been arrested and arrest warrants for the owners have been sent out.
But most people are cynical and unconvinced of these of the outcome of such enquires, finding them cosmetic, futile and ultimately a time-wasting exercise.
Goa is India’s prime tourist destination contributing almost 17% to the state’s GDP.
A showcase of sun and sand with close to seven million tourists, including about 400,000 foreigners visiting every year.
But tragedies like these do not fare well for a state as a safe destination for people who come to spend their time and money, and take back lifetime memories.
Goa, a small state on India’s western coast, is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of tourists every year.