Goa fire tragedy: 25 dead, President, PM Modi express deep grief over the incident

A devastating fire tore through a restaurant-cum-club in Arpora, North Goa, late Sunday, resulting in the tragic deaths of 25 people. The blaze, reportedly triggered by a massive cylinder explosion, has severely marred the state's popular tourist season.

President Droupadi Murmu also expressed profound sorrow over the Arpora fire, which tragically claimed 23 lives. Sharing her distress on X, she said she was "deeply pained by the tragic fire incident... resulting in the loss of precious lives." The President conveyed her "heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families" and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Deeply pained by the tragic fire incident in North Goa district resulting in the loss of precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May they find strength during this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 7, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing his profound sorrow, called the incident "deeply saddening." He conveyed his thoughts to the bereaved families via an X post, wishing the injured a swift recovery. The Prime Minister confirmed he spoke with Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant about the situation, assuring all necessary government assistance is being provided.

The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2025

Chief Minister Sawant declared it a "very painful day" for the state and ordered an immediate, strict inquiry. He vowed the "most stringent action" against anyone found responsible for negligence, highlighting that preliminary information suggests a failure to follow fire safety norms.

Today is a very painful day for all of us in Goa. 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.

I visited the incident site and have…

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) December 6, 2025

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BJP MLA Michael Lobo confirmed that most of the dead were staff members who succumbed to suffocation while seeking refuge in the basement. He also mandated an urgent safety audit of all clubs in Goa to prevent such a catastrophic incident from recurring, underscoring the importance of worker and tourist safety.