Tragic Nightclub Fire in Goa Claims 25 Lives, Sparks Emergency Response

Mon Dec 08 2025 13:49:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A devastating fire at Birch nightclub in Goa, India, has resulted in the loss of 25 lives, including tourists and staff. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause.

A fire at a popular nightclub in Goa has tragically claimed the lives of 25 individuals. Initial assumptions pointed to a gas explosion, but authorities have since identified indoor fireworks as the likely cause. With a full inquiry underway, local officials are promising accountability for any negligence. Eyewitness accounts recount horrific scenes as the fire engulfed the packed venue during a night of revelry.

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.

Eyewitnesses told the BBC of scenes of panic in the bustling nightlife area. One said that he had been outside the club on what was a usual Saturday night with holidaymakers enjoying themselves when he heard screams.

Although 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 saw what appeared to be melted remains of chairs, tables and plants in one corner of the club.

Goa's chief minister Pramod Sawant told journalists three people had died from burns, while most of the others had died of suffocation. Six people are in stable condition in hospital.

Officials said that 20 of the workers who died were from various Indian states as well as one from Nepal. A chef who works at a nearby venue expressed concern for colleagues whose phones were off.

On Sunday, emergency teams were combing through the charred wreckage, and an inquiry into the cause of the fire has been launched with a full report expected within a week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as deeply saddening in a social media post, while calls for stricter safety regulations at entertainment venues grow louder after series of tragic incidents across the country.