India: Goa nightclub fire kills 25 staff and tourists

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic in one of Goa's bustling nightlife areas.

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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.