Vasco Sunday market fire in Goa

A massive fire broke out at the Vasco Sunday Market in Goa around midnight on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, destroying more than 150 shops. The blaze caused extensive damage to goods, including essential items intended for the Diwali festival. While no injuries were reported, firefighting efforts lasted over four hours and required assistance from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Goa Shipyard Limited, and the Mormugao Port Authority.

In response to the incident, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that the state government would look into providing financial assistance to affected shopkeepers. The government has established priorities including collecting vendor details for aid, identifying a site for market reconstruction, and conducting a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire and the emergency response.

The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has proposed a comprehensive fire insurance scheme for all markets under its jurisdiction to protect traders from future losses. A Revenue Secretary has been ordered to lead a fact-finding inquiry to evaluate the preparedness of fire and disaster management authorities. The MMC is currently verifying compensation claims against its records of 133 hawkers and 16 shops.