Goa: At least 25 people were killed when a fire swept through a crowded nightclub in Goa’s Arpora village shortly after midnight on Sunday.
Police said the blaze erupted around 12:04 a.m. at the Birch by Romeo Lane club. Early reports suggest a gas cylinder may have triggered the explosion that set off the fire. Four tourists and 14 staff members were among the dead, while dozens of others were injured.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said a magisterial inquiry had been ordered to determine the cause and identify those responsible. He told negligence, if proven, would be dealt with firmly. Six injured people were reported to be in stable condition and receiving treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sawant and expressed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. He said the Prime Minister’s Office would provide 200,000 rupees to the families of the dead and 50,000 rupees to those injured.
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) December 7, 2025
Firefighters and emergency teams worked through the night to control the blaze and retrieve the bodies. Images circulating locally showed flames shooting from the structure and ambulances lined up at the scene.
Goa, a major holiday destination known for its beaches and nightlife, attracts millions of visitors each year. Government data shows that 5.5 million tourists, including more than a quarter of a million foreigners, visited the state in the first half of the year.
Fatal fires remain a recurring concern across India due to weak enforcement of safety norms. Recent tragedies in Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Gujarat have underscored the risks posed by crowded buildings and inadequate fire precautions.
