At least 25 people have died in a fire that tore through the dance floor of a nightclub in India’s popular holiday destination of Goa.
The fire erupted from a gas cylinder explosion in the club’s kitchen at midnight on Sunday. Four tourists were among those killed, while as many as 14 were members of kitchen staff.
The incident took place at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular club in Arpora village in North Goa, located 25km from the state capital Panaji.
About 100 people were on the packed dance floor when the fire erupted, witnesses said, adding that some ran downstairs to the club’s kitchen to try and escape the fire but got trapped along with staff.
The fire has been extinguished, officials said on Sunday morning, and an inquiry has been ordered into what caused the fire.
An eyewitness told BBC News that it appeared to be a usual Saturday night during the tourist season, until he heard screams.