A nightclub fire in the popular Indian resort region of Goa has killed at least 25 people including five Indian tourists, officials said.
The state’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the fire was likely started by indoor fireworks at the nightclub in Arpora village around midnight on Saturday local time. At the time, witnesses said the dance floor was packed with revelers.
“As per the preliminary inquiry, electrical fireworks at the restaurant caused the fire to break out,” Sawant said, adding the situation escalated when the flames reached flammable substances, triggering a blast that rapidly intensified the fire and spread it to the furniture.
“People began running out to escape, but there were only two gates,” Sawant said.
A group of individuals who were unable to exit the building sought refuge in the underground kitchen, he added. However, that space soon became a death trap.
“Due to the massive levels of smoke entering the kitchen, 23 of the 25 people in that area died of suffocation,” Sawant said.
Twenty of the victims are believed to have been staff, including three Nepali nationals, he added.
The state’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the fire was likely started by indoor fireworks at the nightclub in Arpora village around midnight on Saturday local time. At the time, witnesses said the dance floor was packed with revelers.
“As per the preliminary inquiry, electrical fireworks at the restaurant caused the fire to break out,” Sawant said, adding the situation escalated when the flames reached flammable substances, triggering a blast that rapidly intensified the fire and spread it to the furniture.
“People began running out to escape, but there were only two gates,” Sawant said.
A group of individuals who were unable to exit the building sought refuge in the underground kitchen, he added. However, that space soon became a death trap.
“Due to the massive levels of smoke entering the kitchen, 23 of the 25 people in that area died of suffocation,” Sawant said.
Twenty of the victims are believed to have been staff, including three Nepali nationals, he added.