25 killed six injured in a massive fire that broke after midnight at Arpora, North Goa

Goa | Desk: 25 people killed and six others injured in a massive fire that broke out after midnight at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, according to the Goa Police.

Police initially confirmed 23 deaths, but the death toll later rose to 25 after two more bodies were recovered.

According to a police spokesperson, the deceased include four tourists and 14 club staff members. The identities of the remaining seven bodies have not yet been established. The injured are undergoing treatment.

While police are attributing the horrific accident to a cylinder explosion, some eyewitnesses claim the fire started on the club's first floor, where tourists were dancing. According to one eyewitness, around 100 people were present on the dance floor at the time of the incident. In an attempt to escape, some people ran downstairs to the club's kitchen, where they became trapped with staff.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that most of the deceased were kitchen staff at the club, including three women.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over this heartbreaking incident. He spoke to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over the phone to review the situation.

The Prime Minister posted on X: "The fire accident in Arpora, Goa is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery."

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.