A devastating fire engulfed a well-known nightclub in Goa, India, claiming the lives of 25 people, including several tourists, as confirmed by the state’s Chief Minister. The tragedy unfolded shortly after midnight on Sunday in Arpora village, a lively area approximately 25 kilometers from Panaji, Goa’s state capital.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reported that the majority of those who perished were kitchen staff employed by the club, alongside three to four tourists. Six individuals sustained injuries but are currently in stable condition. Authorities have successfully recovered all bodies from the site.

The blaze was triggered by a gas cylinder explosion, according to the Press Trust of India, which cited local police sources. Witnesses, however, provided a different account, stating that the fire originated on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were gathered on the dance floor. Amid the ensuing panic, many fled to the kitchen below, ultimately becoming trapped alongside staff members.

As reported by the news agency, eyewitness Fatima Shaikh described the chaos that erupted when the flames burst forth, adding to the harrowing accounts of the incident.

Fatima Shaikh said the commotion began as flames erupted, according to the news agency.

“We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” she said.

The nightclub, located along the Arpora River backwaters, had a narrow entry and exit that forced the firefighters to park their tankers about 400 metres away, delaying the efforts, the news agency said.

Sawant said the club had violated fire safety regulations. The state government ordered an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the fire and responsibility, he said, adding that authorities would act against the club management and officials who allowed it to operate despite the violations.

Local village council official Roshan Redkar told the news agency that authorities had earlier issued a demolition notice for the club, which didn’t have a construction permit from the government. But higher officials rolled back the order, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post called the fire “deeply saddening” and said he spoke with Sawant. Modi said the government “is providing all possible assistance” while offering condolences to the victims’ families.

Accidents, particularly involving gas cylinders and electric short circuits, aren’t uncommon in India and often result in casualties, underlining the need for authorities to implement stringent safety protocols.

“This is not just an accident; it is a criminal failure of safety and governance,” Rahul Gandhi, a top leader of India’s main opposition Congress party, wrote in a social media post. He called for a transparent probe to “fix accountability and ensure such preventable tragedies don’t occur again”.

The western coastal state of Goa is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its sandy beaches.