• At least 25 people died in a fire at a nightclub in Goa, including four Nepali tourists.
• The fire was caused by a gas cylinder blast and improper safety protocols.
• Goa's Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry and compensations for victims' families.
• Witnesses reported that most victims suffocated in the basement and kitchen area.
• The incident underscores ongoing safety issues with nightlife venues in India.

At least 25 people, including four Nepali nationals, perished in a fire at a nightclub in Goa’s Arpora district early Sunday morning. The dead were primarily kitchen staff along with tourists, as detailed by Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire broke out around midnight and was linked to a gas cylinder explosion, leading to a rapid spread of flames and smoke throughout the club, according to Channel News Asia and Dawn.

Rescue efforts revealed that many victims died from suffocation, particularly in the club's basement and kitchen area. Chief Fire Officer Nitin V. Raiker noted that “most people died due to suffocation,” which is often exacerbated by poor adherence to safety regulations prevalent in such venues, highlighted by the Indian authorities, as reported by AA and India Times.

In light of the incident, Chief Minister Sawant has initiated a magisterial inquiry and ordered arrests for the nightclub's owner and general manager for negligence. Furthermore, compensation will be provided to victims’ families, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing condolences and advocating for tighter safety protocols across the state’s nightlife venues, as stated by Dawn and Dawn.

This tragic occurrence highlights ongoing safety concerns linked to gas cylinder usage and inadequate fire safety measures within popular nightlife establishments in India. Previous incidents indicate a trend of insufficient regulatory enforcement, further calling for reform in building safety codes as noted in multiple reports, including AA and Dawn.