25 Dead in Goa Nightclub Fire After Suspected Gas Explosion in Arpora

A devastating inferno at a popular nightclub in Goa has left 25 people dead, with authorities confirming that most of the victims were employees of the establishment located in Arpora, North Goa. Several tourists are also among the casualties.

Officials say the blaze, which erupted around midnight on Saturday, was triggered by a suspected gas cylinder explosion in the club’s kitchen. The fire quickly tore through the premises, leading to scenes of panic in the bustling nightlife district.

Goa Director General of Police Alok Kumar confirmed that the fire was concentrated on the ground-floor kitchen area and has since been brought under control. Most bodies were recovered near the kitchen, reinforcing concerns that staff members bore the brunt of the tragedy.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that three victims died from burn injuries, while others succumbed to suffocation. He also revealed that “three to four” tourists had been confirmed dead, though their identities and nationalities remain unknown.

According to The Indian Express, the incident occurred at Birch by Romeo Lane, a well-known club near Baga Beach, one of Goa’s busiest tourist hubs. The area is lined with nightlife venues that typically draw large crowds on weekends.

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Witnesses described chaotic moments as screams filled the air moments after the explosion. One bystander told the BBC: “It was a normal Saturday night. Suddenly there were screams, and then we realized a massive fire had broken out. The scenes were horrific.”

Fire crews worked through the night, combing through charred debris to determine the full extent of damage and finalize victim identification. The remains of burnt furniture and décor were visible at the site on Sunday morning, now sealed off by security officials.

Victims’ bodies have been transferred to Goa Medical College in Panaji, where identification is underway before notifying families.

Chief Minister Sawant has ordered a formal inquiry into the cause of the blaze, promising that “those found responsible will face the most stringent action.” He expressed “deep grief” and extended condolences to affected families.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “deeply saddening”.

Goa, a former Portuguese colony famed for its beaches, nightlife, and resorts, attracts millions of visitors annually. Government figures show 5.5 million tourists visited the state in the first half of the year, including 270,000 international travelers.

The tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal fires in entertainment venues across India, including recent incidents in Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Gujarat, often linked to poor safety standards and overcrowding.

25 Dead in Goa Nightclub Fire After Suspected Gas Explosion in Arpora

BBC

Doctor Charged With Sexually Assaulting 38 Patients in West Midlands Hospitals

A 38-year-old doctor, Nathaniel John Spencer, from Quinton, Birmingham, has been formally charged with multiple sexual offenses involving 38 patients across major West Midlands hospitals, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced on Friday.

According to the CPS, Spencer faces 15 counts of sexual assault, 17 counts of assault by penetration, nine counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, and one count of attempted assault by penetration.

The charges follow what authorities described as a “detailed and complex investigation” carried out by the Public Protection Unit into reported offenses at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent and Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley. The alleged incidents took place between 2017 and 2021.

Spencer is expected to appear before the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on January 20, 2026.

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Both the CPS and Staffordshire Police declined to provide additional details regarding the number of children involved, citing the sensitive and ongoing nature of the case.

The CPS confirmed that the decision to prosecute was reached after extensive evidence review. In the meantime, Spencer has been suspended from medical practice in the UK pending further developments.

Employment records show he worked as a resident doctor (junior doctor) at the University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust from August 2017 to August 2020, before moving to The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, where he served from August 2020 to April 2021.

Both NHS trusts have opened dedicated helplines for patients who may have concerns about their care.

Dr. Paul Hudson, Operational Medical Director of The Dudley Group, said the allegations were “deeply distressing” for patients, staff, and the wider community, adding that the trust had cooperated fully with police investigations.

UHNM also stated that it could not comment further due to the ongoing criminal proceedings but reassured the public that patient safety remains its highest priority.

The General Medical Council (GMC) confirmed that Spencer has been suspended while it investigates his fitness to practise, noting that the disciplinary process will resume once the criminal case concludes.

Doctor Charged With Sexually Assaulting 38 Patients in West Midlands Hospitals

Meta to Block Under-16s from Instagram, Facebook, Threads ahead of Australia’s World-First Youth Social Media Ban

Meta announced on Thursday that it will begin removing under-16 users in Australia from Instagram, Threads, and Facebook, ahead of the country’s pioneering youth social media ban. Australia’s law, which also affects TikTok and YouTube, comes into effect on December 10 and requires platforms to block underage users or face fines of AUS$49.5 million (US$32 million) for failing to take “reasonable steps” to comply.

A Meta spokesperson said the company is working to remove all users believed to be under 16 by the deadline. Young users will be able to download and save their online histories, and upon turning 16, regain access with their content fully restored.

The law is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Australian adolescents, with Instagram alone reporting roughly 350,000 users aged 13 to 15. Platforms such as Roblox, Pinterest, and WhatsApp are currently exempt, though the exemption list is under review.

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While committing to compliance, Meta urged app stores to take responsibility for age verification and parental approval at download, arguing this would reduce repeated verification across multiple apps and ensure teens remain in age-appropriate experiences.

YouTube has criticized the law, claiming it could make under-16s less safe by removing safety filters if they access the site without an account. Australia’s Communications Minister Anika Wells dismissed this as “weird,” noting that the law aims to protect teens from harmful algorithm-driven content that can negatively affect self-esteem.

The law has faced legal challenges. The Digital Freedom Project has launched a High Court case, arguing the ban infringes on freedom of speech. Authorities also anticipate attempts by teens to bypass the restrictions using fake IDs or AI tools.

Australia’s ban is drawing global attention as other countries consider similar measures. Malaysia plans to block children under 16 from social media next year, while New Zealand is preparing to introduce a similar law.

Meta to Block Under-16s from Instagram, Facebook, Threads ahead of Australia’s World-First Youth Social Media Ban