23 Dead in Goa Nightclub Fire from Gas Blast

At least 23 people died in a fire at a nightclub in northern Goa, India, after a gas cylinder exploded in the kitchen area late Saturday night, authorities confirmed. The blaze erupted around midnight at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora village, a coastal hotspot about 25 kilometers from the state capital, Panaji, drawing crowds during the peak winter tourist season.

Police and fire officials responded swiftly to the scene, where thick smoke and flames engulfed the low-rise building. Rescue operations continued through the night, with all 23 bodies recovered and transported to the Government Medical College at Bambolim for postmortem examinations. According to Goa Police Chief Alok Kumar, the fire was triggered by the cylinder blast, and most victims were kitchen staff members, including three women. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant provided further details, stating that three individuals succumbed to burn injuries while the remaining 20 died from suffocation. He noted that among the deceased were three to four tourists, highlighting the tragedy's impact on visitors to the popular nightlife venue.

Sawant visited the site early Sunday and described the incident as a painful loss for the...