A catastrophic fire has torn through a popular nightclub in the Indian coastal state of Goa, killing at least 25 people and injuring six others. The deadly blaze erupted just after midnight on Saturday, December 7, 2025, in the party hub of Arpora.
Chaos and Tragedy in the Early Hours
The fire is reported to have started due to a gas cylinder blast in the kitchen area of the venue, known as 'the island club'. According to local police, approximately 100 people were on the dancefloor when the inferno began. In the ensuing panic, several revellers rushed towards the kitchen below and became trapped alongside staff members.
Goa's Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, confirmed the death toll, stating that most of the deceased were kitchen workers employed at the club, with three to four tourists also among the fatalities. The six injured individuals are said to be in a stable condition. Authorities believe all bodies have now been recovered from the scorched ruins.
Structural Flaws Hampered Rescue Efforts
Emergency response teams faced significant challenges reaching the nightclub, which was situated along the Arpora river backwaters. The venue had a narrow entry and exit point, forcing fire brigade tankers to park roughly 400 metres away. This restricted access critically delayed firefighting operations, officials reported.
In a troubling revelation, a local village council official, Roshan Redkar, disclosed that authorities had previously issued a demolition notice for the club. The notice was served because the establishment lacked a government construction permit. However, Mr Redkar stated that higher officials later rolled back the demolition order.
National Mourning and Official Response
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident in a post on social media platform X. He described the fire as "deeply saddening" and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.
"My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest," the Prime Minister wrote. He added that he had spoken to Chief Minister Sawant and assured that the state government is providing all possible assistance to those affected by the tragedy.
Photographs from the scene show the nightclub's structure utterly gutted by the flames, with a sign outside still advertising DJ sets—a stark reminder of the venue's purpose just hours before disaster struck.
