Panaji-Goa:- A late-night blaze tore through a packed nightclub in Goa early Sunday, killing 23 people and injuring several others, according to local authorities. The incident occurred shortly after midnight when a fire broke out near the bar area and rapidly spread across the venue.
Emergency responders struggled to reach those trapped inside as dense smoke and blocked exits slowed rescue efforts. Eyewitnesses reported panic and chaos as hundreds rushed to escape the choking fumes.
Officials suspect a short circuit or pyrotechnics used during a live performance may have triggered the fire, but a forensic investigation is underway. Preliminary checks indicate the club may have lacked adequate fire exits and emergency equipment — a clear violation of safety norms.
Most of the victims were young tourists and party-goers. Identification of bodies is still in progress, and the death toll could rise as several injured remain in critical condition at hospitals in Panaji and Vasco.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a high-level inquiry and promised strict action against the owners and municipal officials responsible for oversight. “No one responsible for this negligence will be spared,” he stated.
The tragedy has sparked sharp criticism over Goa’s nightlife safety standards, which have been repeatedly flagged but rarely enforced. Families of the victims are demanding immediate accountability, calling the incident “entirely preventable.”
The club has been sealed as investigators continue to examine the site.
