At least 25 people have died in a fire Saturday at a popular nightclub in the tourist resort of Goa state in southwestern India, officials said.
In a post on Twitter on Sunday morning, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he had visited the site of a “major fire” at a club in North Goa’s Arpora district, adding that he had ordered a probe into the incident.
“Those found responsible will face the strictest action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with sternly,” Sawant said.
The office of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said he was in touch with Sawant, said each victim’s family would receive 200,000 rupees ($2,200, €1,910) in compensation.
What else do we know about fire?
The chief minister told reporters at the scene that the dead included “three to four” tourists.
Sawant also said that three people died of burns, while 20 others died of suffocation.
He said that the condition of six injured people is stable.
Indian PTI news agency quoted Goa Police chief Alok Kumar as saying that preliminary investigation suggests that the fire started after a gas cylinder exploded in the kitchen.
Kumar said the fire broke out around midnight and has been brought under control.
“The fire was mainly concentrated around the kitchen area on the ground floor. Maximum bodies were recovered from the kitchen area, which suggests that the victims were employed in the club. Two bodies were found on the staircase.” Indian Express Kumar was quoted as saying.
Goa, a former Portuguese colony located on the Arabian Sea, attracts millions of tourists every year. It is known for its sandy beaches, tropical climate and vibrant nightlife.
Winter is the peak tourism season for Goa, India’s smallest state.
Edited by Dmytro Lyubenko