At least 23 people have died after a fire broke out at a nightclub in the Indian state of Goa.
Most of the victims were believed to be employees of the venue, the Indian Express and other outlets reported.
The bodies were recovered from the site.
Authorities suspect the blaze, which broke out around midnight on Saturday local time, was triggered by a gas cylinder explosion in the club’s kitchen area, the PTI news agency quoted Goa’s police chief as saying.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced via a post on X that the state government will be launching an investigation into the recent incident. This move comes as part of the administration’s commitment to addressing the matter thoroughly and ensuring transparency. The inquiry aims to uncover the facts and provide clarity on the situation to the public.
It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured.
The incident reportedly occurred in the coastal town of Arpora in northern Goa, a region known for its beaches, nightlife and tropical climate that attracts domestic and foreign tourists.
The winter months are typically peak season in India’s smallest state.
