A deadly fire broke out at a well-known nightclub in the state of Goa, India, claiming the lives of 25 individuals, including tourists, as stated by the state’s chief minister on Sunday. The incident occurred shortly after midnight in Arpora village in North Goa, a bustling party area situated around 25 kilometers from the state’s capital, Panaji.
According to Pramod Sawant, the Chief Minister of Goa, the majority of the deceased were the club’s kitchen staff, along with three to four tourists. Six individuals sustained injuries but are currently in stable condition. All the bodies have been recovered following the tragedy.
The fire was triggered by a gas cylinder explosion and has since been put out, reported by the Press Trust of India news agency, citing local authorities. Eyewitnesses recounted that the fire originated on the club’s first floor where nearly 100 tourists were present on the dance floor. Amid the chaos, several individuals rushed to the kitchen below and became trapped along with the staff.
Describing the chaotic scene, witness Fatima Shaikh mentioned that the turmoil began as flames engulfed the area. She expressed, “We hurried out of the club only to witness the entire structure ablaze.”
Situated along the Arpora River backwaters, the nightclub had limited entry and exit points, resulting in firefighters parking their tankers around 400 meters away, causing delays in the rescue efforts, as per the news agency.
Sawant revealed that the nightclub had violated fire safety regulations. An inquiry has been initiated by the state government to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and hold those responsible accountable. Action will be taken against the club’s management and officials who permitted its operation despite the violations.
Roshan Redkar, a local village council official, informed the news agency that a demolition notice had been issued for the club previously, as it lacked a construction permit from the government. However, the order was rescinded by higher authorities.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident in a social media post, mentioning that he had conversed with Sawant. Modi assured that the government is extending all possible aid and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims.
Tragic accidents, such as those involving gas cylinders and electrical faults, are not uncommon in India and frequently lead to casualties, emphasizing the urgent need for stringent safety measures to be enforced by authorities.
Rahul Gandhi, a prominent figure in India’s main opposition Congress party, characterized the incident as a “criminal failure of safety and governance,” urging for a transparent investigation to ensure accountability and prevent similar preventable tragedies in the future.
Global Affairs Canada issued a statement expressing condolences and confirming no Canadian citizens were known to be impacted by the fire. The statement conveyed solidarity with all those affected by the tragedy and their loved ones.
Following the fire, authorities in India promptly ordered an investigation and offered compensation to the victims. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident to determine the cause and accountability. Prime Minister Modi pledged compensation of up to 200,000 rupees ($3,077 Cdn) to each victim’s family and 50,000 rupees ($770 Cdn) to the injured.
Goa, a favored tourist destination in western India renowned for its sandy beaches, welcomed approximately 5.5 million tourists, including 271,000 international visitors, in the first half of the year, based on government statistics.
