A fire at a popular nightclub in India’s coastal resort region of Goa has killed 25 people, local officials say. The blaze broke out late Saturday at the Birch nightclub near a busy beach, where revelers had gathered to hear a Bollywood DJ.
Authorities now believe indoor fireworks ignited the fire, contradicting initial reports of a gas cylinder explosion in the kitchen, according to Goa’s chief minister. Police said the victims included 21 staff members and four members of the same family from Delhi.
Four people, including the club’s manager, have been arrested, and a warrant has been issued for the owner. The venue’s main entrance was wide, but a narrow crossing over a small lake hindered firefighters’ access, eyewitnesses said.
One witness described scenes of panic, initially mistaking screams for typical nightlife commotion before realizing a “massive fire” had erupted. “The scenes were just horrific,” he told the BBC. Inside the charred venue, the BBC observed melted chairs, tables, and plants.
Goa, a former Portuguese colony on the Arabian Sea, draws millions of tourists each year with its beaches, resorts, and vibrant nightlife. The deadly incident has cast a shadow over the popular holiday destination, raising urgent questions about safety enforcement in its entertainment venues.
By James Kisoo
