Emergency crews in the Indian state of Goa in India continued examining the burnt remains of a beachfront nightclub after a devastating blaze killed at least 25 people during a weekend event, according to details reported by BBC. Officials said most victims were staff members who had been working at the venue when the fire erupted late on Saturday.
Authorities initially suspected a gas cylinder blast inside the Birch nightclub, but Goa’s chief minister later said investigators now believe indoor fireworks triggered the incident. “Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” Dr Pramod Sawant told reporters, adding that an inquiry has already begun and a full report is expected within days.
The club, located near one of Goa’s busiest beaches, had been hosting a Bollywood DJ when the fire broke out. Police said four members of a family from Delhi were among the dead, while the majority of victims came from various Indian states including Jharkhand, Maharashtra and West Bengal, as well as a worker from Nepal. Officials noted that three people suffered fatal burns, while most others died from suffocation. Six individuals remain in hospital but are said to be in stable condition.
Witness accounts collected by BBC described moments of panic in the crowded nightlife district, with people outside initially unsure of what had caused screams from the venue. One man recalled hearing commotion before realizing “a massive fire had broken out,” describing the aftermath as horrific. BBC journalists at the scene reported seeing melted furniture and plants inside the damaged area.
Access issues complicated firefighting efforts. Although the entrance to the site is wide, responders had to negotiate a narrow crossing over water to reach the main structure. Four suspects — including the club’s manager — have been taken into custody, and police have issued an arrest warrant for the owner.
Tourism is central to Goa’s economy, drawing millions of visitors each year, including more than a quarter of a million international travelers in the first half of the year alone. The coastal region’s nightlife and resort culture have helped make it one of India’s most popular holiday destinations, but local opposition figures told the BBC that a surge in new entertainment venues has raised safety concerns. They urged authorities to strengthen oversight to prevent similar incidents.
Reactions from national leaders followed quickly. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tragedy as “deeply saddening” in a social media post. A nearby restaurant worker told the BBC he feared for colleagues at the Birch club whose phones had gone silent since the fire, noting that many employees in Goa’s nightlife industry come from other parts of India and Nepal.
The catastrophe adds to a series of recent fatal fires at entertainment and leisure sites across the country. Earlier this year, separate incidents in Hyderabad and Kolkata left dozens dead, while a blaze at an amusement park arcade in Gujarat killed 24 people after visitors were unable to escape.
