Arpora, Goa: The tragic fire at a nightclub in Goa has claimed 25 lives, with officials confirming that suffocation, not burns, was the primary cause of death in most cases. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that three victims succumbed to burn injuries, while the remaining casualties resulted from dense smoke that quickly filled the lower floors. Six injured individuals remain hospitalised and are reported to be stable.
According to officials, the fire started shortly after midnight when the club was operating at full capacity. Thick smoke spread rapidly through the lower floors, leaving many people unable to escape in time. Emergency teams rushed to the spot, but narrow access lanes slowed down the response.
Authorities revealed that 20 of the workers who died were from various Indian states, including Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka. One of the deceased staff members was a citizen of Nepal. Many of them were working in confined basement or kitchen areas when the fire started, leaving them trapped with no safe exit. A chef employed at a nearby restaurant said he personally knew several workers from the club and expressed deep concern, noting that many of their phones had been switched off since the incident. He added that Goa’s hospitality and nightlife sector employs people from across India and neighbouring countries.
On Sunday, emergency response teams continued clearing debris and searching through the charred structure to ensure no one remained missing. The damaged interiors and layers of ash slowed down the search process.
Chief Minister Sawant confirmed that a formal investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the fire. He said a comprehensive report is expected within a week. He further assured strong legal action: “Those responsible will face the strictest action under the law. Any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, describing the incident as “deeply saddening.”
Goa remains one of India’s most visited destinations. Government estimates indicate that 5.5 million tourists visited the country in the first half of the year, including over 270,000 international visitors. With tourism booming, some opposition leaders have raised questions about whether safety regulations have kept pace with the fast expansion of clubs and entertainment venues. They pointed out that new establishments are often popping up rapidly and urged authorities to ensure that these venues meet required fire and safety standards.
The tragedy has sparked national conversations about worker safety, building compliance and the oversight of commercial establishments in tourist-heavy areas. With the holiday season underway, many are urging authorities to prioritise preventive measures to avoid incidents of this scale in the future
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