Tourists among 25 killed in India's Goa nightclub fire

NEW DELHI -- At least 25 people, including four tourists, were killed and many others injured around midnight Saturday in a devastating fire at a nightclub in India's western state of Goa, police said on Sunday.

The fire tore through a popular nightclub, Birch by Romeo Lane, in Arpora village of North Goa district, about 16 km northwest of Panaji, the capital city of Goa.

"A massive fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa, resulting in 25 deaths, out of whom four were confirmed to be tourists, 14 were staff members and identity of seven is yet to be established. Six persons are injured and their treatment is going on," reads a statement issued by the police to local media.

"Cause of fire is yet to be ascertained. Police and fire department investigation is in progress. Legal action is being taken."

Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the deaths and expressed their sympathies to the families of the victims through social media posts.

Modi has also announced an ex-gratia payment from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims of the tragic fire mishap.

"An ex-gratia of INR 200,000 ($2,223.57) from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in Arpora, Goa. The injured would be given INR 50,000 ($556)," the Indian Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Goa Police Chief Alok Kumar said that immediately after receiving the distress call at the police control room, the police, fire brigade, and ambulances were rushed to the spot.

Witnesses told the media the blast was reportedly so powerful that the flames engulfed the entire building within seconds and trapped the people inside.

Preliminary investigations carried out by the police suggest that the fire was allegedly triggered by a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder explosion near the kitchen area.

Officials said the rescue operations continued through the night, and focus has now been shifted to identifying the bodies and informing their families.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant described the incident as painful. He has ordered an inquiry into the deadly fire. "Those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law. Any negligence will be dealt with firmly," Sawant said in a statement.

A local lawmaker Michael Lobo told reporters that most of the victims died from suffocation after running toward the basement.

Chances of fire in India are often high, as owners of the buildings and houses usually ignore safety standards with regard to fire and store fuel and combustible materials in a haphazard manner.