At least 23 people have been killed after a fire at a nightclub in Goa, India.
Dr Pramod Sawant, Goa’s chief minister, said a “major fire incident at Arpora has taken the lives of 23 people”.
“I am deeply grieved and offer my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families in this hour of unimaginable loss,” he said.
Local media reported the fire took place in a nightclub around midnight on Saturday.
The majority of victims are believed to be staff at the club – although some tourists are thought to be among those killed, local media reports.
Videos on social media showed emergency services lining up to help the injured – some of whom were taken to nearby hospitals.
Authorities worked through the night to bring the situation under control and all bodies have been recovered, the state’s police chief told reporters, according to Reuters news agency.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the deadly fire was “deeply saddening”.
He said he had spoken with Goa’s chief minister and that “the state government is providing all possible assistance to those affected”.
Dr Sawant said he has “ordered an inquiry” to discover what happened after visiting the site.
“The inquiry will examine the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety norms and building rules were followed,” he said.
“Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with firmly.”
Goa, a small state on India’s western coast, is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of tourists every year.
This story originally appeared on Skynews
