At least 23 people have been killed in a fire at a popular nightclub in the coastal region of Goa, India, local officials say, BBC reported.

The majority of victims are believed to be staff at the club in Arpora, North Goa, while tourists are also among the dead.

Police believe a gas cylinder exploded in the club's kitchen causing the blaze to rip through the venue at midnight on Saturday, local time, according to BBC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Goa fire "deeply saddening" in a post on social media.