AT least 25 people have tragically been killed when a fire ripped through a popular Indian nightclub in Goa.
Tourists were among the dead in the blaze, which broke out at about midnight Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub the north of the coastal state.
The fire occurred due to a gas cylinder blast and has been extinguished, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, quoting local police.
Goa’s chief minister Pramod Sawant said the majority of victims were kitchen staff at the club – although around three to four tourists are thought to be among those killed.
Six were injured and are in stable condition, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi 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 to the victims’ families.
The nightclub had a narrow entry and exit that forced the fire brigades to park their tankers about 400 meters away, local media reported.
The restricted access is understood to have delayed firefighting efforts.
Local village council official Roshan Redkar said 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.
Goa lures millions of tourists every year with its nightlife, sandy beaches and laid-back coastal atmosphere.
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