Goa Nightclub Blaze Kills 25
Suspected cylinder blast triggers massive fire; PM, President express grief
- At least 25 killed in fire at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa
- Blaze suspected to have started from a cylinder blast; most victims were kitchen staff
- Chief Minister says club violated fire safety norms; action promised against management
- PM announces ex-gratia from PMNRF; President Murmu expresses condolences
GG News Bureau
Panaji, 7th Dec: At least 25 people were killed in a massive fire at a nightclub in North Goa following a suspected cylinder blast shortly after midnight on Sunday. The blaze erupted at Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub located in Baga’s Arpora village, around 25 kilometres from Panaji.
According to the Goa Police, the control room received the first alert at 12:04 am. Emergency teams, including fire services and ambulances, reached the spot quickly. “The fire is now under control, and all bodies have been recovered,” the state’s Director General of Police told ANI.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames engulfing the club within minutes, leaving little time for those inside to escape. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site, said that most of the victims were kitchen staff, including three women, while “three to four tourists” were also among the deceased.
Initial findings suggest that the club had failed to comply with mandatory fire safety norms. Sawant said strict action would be taken against both the management and officials responsible for allowing the establishment to operate without adequate safeguards.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep grief over the tragedy, extending condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed sorrow over the incident and said he had spoken to the Chief Minister. He announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased from the PMNRF, while the injured will receive ₹50,000.
Local BJP MLA Michael Lobo said the incident was “deeply disturbing” and called for a comprehensive safety audit of all clubs in Goa. He noted that most fatalities occurred due to suffocation as people attempted to flee towards the basement.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the cause of the fire and the extent of safety violations at the nightclub.
