A fire at a popular nightclub in the coastal region of Goa in India has killed 25 people, according to local officials.
Most of the victims are believed to be staff at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, located near a popular beach. Tourists are also said to be among the dead.
Police believe a gas cylinder exploded in the club’s kitchen, causing a blaze to rip through the venue on Saturday at midnight local time.
On Sunday morning, officials said the death toll had risen from an earlier figure of 23. The BBC has spoken to witnesses at the scene who described scenes of panic in the bustling nightlife area.
“The fire was mainly concentrated around the kitchen area on the ground floor,” said Alok Kumar, Goa’s Director General of Police.
Most of the bodies were found near the kitchen, “suggesting that the victims were employed at the club”, Mr Alok Kumar added.
Goa’s chief minister Pramod Sawant told journalists three people had died from burn injuries, while others died by suffocation.
He said “three to four” tourists had perished but did not provide their ages or nationalities. Six people are in a stable condition in the hospital.
The venue was packed because it was hosting a Bollywood specialist DJ.
The area where the fire occurred is lined with similar bustling nightspots.
A chef who works at a nearby venue told the BBC he knew some of the workers at the Birch club.
“People from all over the country and also from Nepal work in different clubs in Goa,” he said.
“I am really worried for some people whom I know at the club. Their phones are off.”
Early on Sunday, emergency teams were combing through the charred wreckage to determine the cause of the blaze.
A heavy security presence remained at the scene, with the doors to the nightclub shut and no one allowed inside.
The BBC saw what appeared to be melted remains of chairs, tables and plants in one corner of the club.
One eyewitness said that it was a usual Saturday night and holidaymakers were enjoying themselves.
He said, “I was outside the club when I heard screams. I didn’t initially understand what was going on.
“In a bit, it became clear that a massive fire had broken out. The scenes were just horrific.”
Rescue workers have taken the bodies of the victims to Goa Medical College in Panaji.
One of the firefighters at the scene told the BBC they were still identifying the victims and would then notify their families.
An inquiry into the cause of the fire has been launched, the chief minister said.
“Those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” Dr Sawant said.
“I am deeply grieved and offer my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Goa fire “deeply saddening” in a post on social media.
Goa is a former Portuguese colony on the Arabian Sea. Its nightlife, sandy beaches, and resorts attract millions of tourists annually.
About 5.5 million tourists visited the area in the first half of the year, government data showed, with 270,000 coming from abroad.
India has seen a number of deadly fires at entertainment venues in recent years.
A fire at a three-storey building killed 17 in the southern city of Hyderabad in May, while a hotel blaze in north-east Kolkata left 15 dead a month earlier.
Last year, 24 people died at an amusement park arcade in the western state of Gujarat after visitors were trapped inside. An official review later found that poor safety standards contributed to the death toll.
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