In a tragic turn of events, a devastating fire swept through a well-known nightclub in the Indian state of Goa, resulting in the loss of 25 lives, as confirmed by the state’s Chief Minister on Sunday. The victims include both local staff and tourists who were visiting the vibrant party destination.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight in Arpora village, a bustling nightlife hotspot situated roughly 25 kilometers from Panaji, the capital of Goa. The fire has cast a shadow over the area, which is often frequented by tourists seeking its lively atmosphere and picturesque surroundings.

Pramod Sawant, the Chief Minister of Goa, disclosed that the majority of those who perished were workers employed in the nightclub’s kitchen. Among the deceased were also three to four tourists. Six additional individuals sustained injuries but are reportedly in stable condition. Authorities have successfully recovered all the bodies from the scene.

The blaze was reportedly triggered by a gas cylinder explosion, according to the Press Trust of India, citing local police sources. Eyewitness accounts, however, suggest that the fire originated on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were enjoying the dance floor. In the ensuing panic, many fled to the kitchen area below, inadvertently becoming trapped alongside the club’s staff.

Fatima Shaikh, one of the witnesses, described the scene to the news agency, recounting the chaos that erupted as the flames took hold. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” she recounted, capturing the terror of the moment.

Adding to the challenges faced by emergency responders, the nightclub’s location along the Arpora River backwaters featured a narrow entry and exit. This logistical hurdle forced firefighters to park their vehicles some 400 meters away, delaying their efforts to bring the blaze under control, according to the news agency.

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 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.