Fire at a nightclub in Goa, India, kills at least 25.

The death toll from the fire that broke out last night at a club in the Indian city of Goa has risen to at least 25, local authorities announced this morning, citing Indian media. Among the victims of the blaze at the "Birch" are four tourists and 14 staff members.

Preliminary investigations reveal that most of the victims suffocated after the fire broke out in the club's basement, which lacked adequate ventilation. "The cause of the fire is yet to be determined; we are also verifying whether the club complied with fire safety regulations," said local police chief Alok Kumar.

Goa, a former Portuguese colony on the shores of the Arabian Sea, attracts millions of tourists every year with its nightlife, sandy beaches, and relaxed coastal atmosphere.

(Unioneonline)