At least 25 people died in a fire that ravaged a popular nightclub in the tourist city of Goa, in western India, the region’s governor, Pramod Sawant, announced this Sunday (7).
Several tourists were among the victims of the fire which broke out at a nightclub in Arpora, in the district of North Goa, police said, reported by the Press Trust of India news agency.
— Today is a very painful day for all of us in Goa — Sawant wrote on Facebook, adding that “25 people lost their lives and six were injured.”
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Sawant told reporters at the scene that “three or four” tourists had died. He explained that three people were burned alive, while the others died of asphyxiation.
— I visited the scene of the incident and ordered an investigation into what happened, — the governor said.
He added that “those responsible will be exposed to the most severe penalties provided for by law; any negligence will be severely punished.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement that the deaths were “deeply regrettable”. In turn, local lawmaker Michael Lobo announced an audit of similar sites to prevent further accidents, according to news agency PTI.
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Goa, a former Portuguese colony on the coast of the Arabian Sea, attracts millions of tourists each year with its nightlife, white sand beaches and relaxing coastal atmosphere.
Local media cited police sources as saying the fire may have been caused by a “gas cylinder explosion”, but that the matter remains under investigation.
Fires are common in India due to poor construction practices, overcrowding and non-compliance with safety standards. Last May, 17 people died in a fire in a building in the southern city of Hyderabad.
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