NEW DELHI – A tragic fire at a well-known nightclub in India’s Goa state has claimed the lives of at least 25 people, including several tourists, according to the state’s chief minister on Sunday.

The devastating fire broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a bustling area in North Goa renowned for its vibrant party scene.

Pramod Sawant, the chief minister of Goa, reported that the majority of the victims were kitchen staff employed at the club, along with three to four tourists. He added that six individuals suffered injuries but are currently in stable condition.

The Press Trust of India news agency, quoting local police sources, indicated that the fire was triggered by a gas cylinder explosion and has since been brought under control. All the bodies have been recovered from the site. At the time of the fire, approximately 100 people were dancing in the club. In the ensuing chaos, many sought refuge in the kitchen below, where they became trapped along with staff members.

The nightclub, situated near the scenic Arpora river backwaters, posed challenges for emergency responders due to its narrow entrance and exit. This limitation forced fire crews to station their tankers roughly 400 meters away, which reportedly delayed their efforts to combat the blaze, according to local officials.

Local village council official Roshan Redkar told the news agency that authorities had earlier issued a demolition notice for the club as it had no construction permit from the government. But higher officials rolled back the order, he said.

The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety norms and building regulations were followed, Sawant said.

Regulations are poorly enforced in India where some public sector officials cut corners, leading to safety hazards.

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

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

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