A fire triggered by a cylinder blast at a nightclub in North Goa killed 23 people, mostly staff members. Authorities said the venue lacked fire safety compliance and ordered an inquiry, safety audits and action against the club management and officials.

Panaji: At least 23 people were killed in a fire at a nightclub in North Goa following a cylinder blast late Saturday, police said.

Most of the victims were kitchen workers and included three women. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said three or four tourists were also among the dead.

Sawant, who visited the site, said three victims died of burn injuries while the others died due to suffocation.

Initial information suggested the nightclub had not followed fire safety norms, he said.

The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane after midnight

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