A devastating fire engulfed a well-known nightclub in Goa, India, resulting in the tragic loss of 25 lives, including several tourists, according to the state’s chief minister.

The incident unfolded just after midnight on Sunday in Arpora village, located in North Goa, about 25 kilometers from Panaji, the state capital. Known for its vibrant nightlife, the area became the scene of a horrific disaster.

Pramod Sawant, Goa’s Chief Minister, reported that the majority of the victims were kitchen staff, along with three to four tourists. Six individuals sustained injuries but are currently stable. Authorities confirmed that all bodies have been retrieved from the site.

Local police, as cited by the Press Trust of India, attributed the fire to a gas cylinder explosion, which has since been brought under control. However, witnesses recounted that the fire ignited on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 revelers were dancing. In the ensuing panic, many fled to the kitchen on the lower level, where they became trapped with the staff.

According to an eyewitness, Fatima Shaikh, chaos erupted as the flames spread rapidly. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” she recounted.

“We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” she said.

The nightclub, located along the Arpora River backwaters, had a narrow entry and exit that forced the firefighters to park their tankers about 400 metres away, delaying the efforts, the news agency said.

Sawant said the club had violated fire safety regulations. The state government ordered an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the fire and responsibility, he said, adding that authorities would act against the club management and officials who allowed it to operate despite the violations.

Local village council official Roshan Redkar told the news agency that authorities had earlier issued a demolition notice for the club, which didn’t have a construction permit from the government. But higher officials rolled back the order, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post called the fire “deeply saddening” and said he spoke with Sawant. Modi said the government “is providing all possible assistance” while offering condolences to the victims’ families.

Accidents, particularly involving gas cylinders and electric short circuits, aren’t uncommon in India and often result in casualties, underlining the need for authorities to implement stringent safety protocols.

“This is not just an accident; it is a criminal failure of safety and governance,” Rahul Gandhi, a top leader of India’s main opposition Congress party, wrote in a social media post. He called for a transparent probe to “fix accountability and ensure such preventable tragedies don’t occur again”.

The western coastal state of Goa is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its sandy beaches.