Pakistan, Dec. 9 -- The owners of a nightclub in Goa, India, fled the country hours after a deadly fire at their club killed 25 people over the weekend, police said. The tragedy occurred at a club in Arpora in the north of the coastal state, with most victims being staff members, including four Nepali citizens.

Authorities said the fire was likely triggered by "electrical firecrackers," and most victims died from suffocation in the basement and kitchen areas after wooden parts of the club caught fire. The blaze sparked widespread concern over safety regulations in India's nightlife sector.

Police identified the club owners as brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, who boarded a flight to Phuket, Thailand, shortly after the incident. Office...