Today's Edition
(AGENCIES)
At least 23 people died after a fire in India's Goa state, the chief minister of the state said on Sunday.
The blaze broke out shortly after midnight local time at a popular entertainment facility in Goa's Arpora, the state's police chief told reporters.
The state government has ordered an inquiry into this incident, chief minister Pramod Sawant said in a post on X. Most of the victims were kitchen staff at the facility, along with three to four tourists.
According to preliminary reports and eyewitness accounts, the fire was triggered by a gas cylinder explosion near the kitchen.
Goa Police confirmed the magnitude of the tragedy on Sunday morning, stating, “A massive fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, North Goa, resulting in 25 deaths, out of whom 4 confirmed to be tourists, 14 were staff members and identity of 7 is yet to be established. Six persons are injured and their treatment going on. Cause of fire is yet to be ascertained. Police and fire department investigation is in progress. Legal action is being taken.”
