Panaji: A devastating late-night explosion at a nightclub in Goa’s Arpora area claimed 25 lives on Saturday, leaving six others injured. The blast occurred after a cylinder reportedly exploded around midnight, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the entire club within minutes. Among the dead are four tourists and 14 staff members, while seven victims remain unidentified.
Goa Police have arrested the nightclub’s manager, and an investigation is underway. Firefighters battled the flames for several hours before the blaze was brought under control.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and local MLA Michael Lobo rushed to the spot soon after the incident. The Chief Minister said that three victims died due to burns, while the remaining succumbed to smoke inhalation. He assured a thorough probe and strict action against those responsible.
Early findings suggest that the club did not comply with mandatory fire safety regulations, raising questions about negligence by the management. Senior district officials are monitoring the situation, and an FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) team is examining the site to determine the exact cause of the explosion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.