23 Killed, 50 Injured in Devastating Nightclub Fire in Goa’s Arpora
Panaji, December 7, 2025 — A major tragedy struck North Goa late Saturday night when a massive fire tore through a popular nightclub in Arpora, killing at least 23 people — including four tourists and 19 staff members — and injuring more than 50 others.
Officials said the blaze was triggered by the explosion of a commercial gas cylinder inside the club’s kitchen around 11:30 pm, at a time when the venue was packed with weekend revellers. The blast sent thick black smoke billowing through the building within minutes, trapping several people inside.
According to preliminary findings, most of the victims died of asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation, while at least three people suffered fatal burn injuries. The majority of the deceased were kitchen and service staff working in the rear portion of the club.
More than 50 injured people — some in critical condition — have been rushed to Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim, where several are on ventilator support.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the hospital on Sunday morning, announced a high-level magisterial inquiry to determine the exact cause of the explosion and examine potential violations of fire safety norms and licensing conditions by the nightclub management.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the incident and approved an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will receive ₹50,000 each.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as panicked partygoers scrambled towards the exits, with visibility dropping to near zero due to the dense smoke. Fire tenders from Mapusa, Calangute and Panaji battled the blaze for over an hour before bringing it under control.
Police have sealed the premises, and forensic teams are collecting evidence. A case of culpable negligence has been registered against the club owners and management. Sources revealed that the establishment had multiple commercial gas cylinders stored in its kitchen, and investigators are examining possible lapses in maintaining fire exits, alarms, and sprinkler systems.
The incident has once again raised questions about fire safety compliance in Goa’s booming nightlife and tourism sector. Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.
