A fire at a popular nightclub in India's coastal region of Goa has killed 25 people, local officials say.
Police had initially thought a gas cylinder in the Birch nightclub's kitchen exploded – but the region's chief minister said on Sunday that this had been ruled out and that indoor fireworks were now thought to be the cause of the blaze.
The venue, located near a popular beach, was packed with revellers who had come to hear a Bollywood DJ. Four members of the same Delhi family and 21 staff died, police said.
Four people have been arrested, including the nightclub's manager, and an arrest warrant for the owner has also been issued.
Goa is a former Portuguese colony on the Arabian Sea, its nightlife, sandy beaches, and resorts attract millions of tourists annually.
Eyewitness accounts described scenes of panic in the bustling nightlife area.
I didn't initially understand what was going on, said one witness. In a bit, it became clear that a massive fire had broken out. The scenes were just horrific.
Though the main entrance is wide, the crossing over a small lake leading to the main structure is narrow and that made it difficult for firefighters to reach the spot.
The BBC reported that Goa's chief minister Pramod Sawant stated that three people died from burns, while most others died of suffocation. Six people are currently in stable condition in hospital.
Officials indicated that 20 of the deceased workers came from various Indian states, and one worker was from Nepal.
An inquiry into the cause of the fire has been launched, and results are expected within a week. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, expressed his condolences, calling the fire deeply saddening.
Opposition politicians have called for stricter regulations regarding safety in clubs, noting that the government must ensure entertainment venues are safe.
India has seen similar tragedies involving fires in entertainment venues in recent years, raising concerns about safety standards.
