Nightclub fire kills 23 people in India's Goa state
World
Several tourists were among the dead in the fire
(Web Desk) - At least 23 people were killed in a fire at a popular nightclub in the Indian resort city of Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other officials said on Sunday.
Several tourists were among the dead in the fire, which broke out at about midnight at a club in Arpora in the North Goa district, according to officials cited by the media.
"Today is a very painful day for all of us in Goa. A major fire incident at Arpora has taken the lives of 23 people," Sawant wrote on X.
"I visited the incident site and have ordered an inquiry into this incident," he said. "Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law — any negligence will be dealt with firmly."
Sawant told journalists at the scene that "three to four" tourists had died. Three people died from burn injuries, while the others died from suffocation, he said.
Reuters adds: The incident occurred around 12:04 am local time (1834 GMT on Saturday) in the village of Arpora, the state's police chief told reporters.
Fire trucks and ambulances were rushed to the spot after the police received information about the blaze, the police chief said.
The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities worked through the night to bring the situation under control, ANI reported.
The fire has been curtailed and all bodies have been recovered, the police chief added.
Goa, a former Portuguese colony on the shores of the Arabian Sea, lures millions of tourists every year with its nightlife, sandy beaches and laid-back coastal atmosphere.
About 5.5 million tourists visited Goa in the first half of the year, as per government data. Of these 271,000 were international tourists.
