At least 25 people were killed in a devastating fire at a nightclub in North Goa, following a suspected cylinder blast, on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, police said. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident.
The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane club, a club in Baga, one of Goa’s most popular beaches, in Arpora village, around 25 km from the state capital, Panaji, shortly after midnight. An FIR has been registered for culpable homicide in connection with the incident.
Goa Police on Sunday morning confirmed that the fire claimed 25 lives, including four confirmed tourists and 14 staff members, while the identities of seven victims are yet to be established.
“Six people are injured and their treatment is going on. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Police and fire department investigation is in progress. Legal action is being taken,” the police said.
While the state police said the blaze occurred at the nightclub due to a cylinder blast after midnight on Sunday, some of the eyewitnesses claimed the fire started on the club's first floor, where tourists were dancing.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told news agency PTI that an FIR has been lodged against the owner and general manager of the nightclub, and both are to be arrested.
Videos circulating on X show a massive blaze sweeping through the nightclub, with flames spreading rapidly and engulfing nearly every part of the establishment.
CM Pramod Sawant, who visited the site late at night, said most of the victims were kitchen staff, including three women, and added that “three to four tourists” were also among those killed.
Preliminary reports indicate that the nightclub had not complied with fire safety regulations. “We will take action against both the club management and the officials who allowed it to operate despite flouting safety norms,” Sawant said.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the tragic fire incident in North Goa district that claimed several lives. In a post on X, she conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families.
“Deeply pained by the tragic fire incident in North Goa district resulting in the loss of precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May they find strength during this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the President said in a post.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences. In an X post, he said, “The fire mishap in Arpora, Goa is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. I have spoken to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected.”
PM Modi also announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF will be provided to the next of kin of each person who died in Goa mishap, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic nightclub fire in Arpora, Goa, which claimed more than 20 lives. Extending his condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, he described the incident as not merely an accident but a “criminal failure of safety and governance.”
Gandhi called for a thorough and transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable and to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future.
BJP MLA Michael Lobo said he was deeply disturbed by the incident. He noted that some of the victims were tourists, while most were local staff working in the restaurant’s basement.
“We will need to conduct a safety audit of all other clubs in Goa, which is very important. Tourists have always considered Goa a safe destination, but this fire incident is extremely disturbing, and such tragedies should not happen in the future. The safety of both tourists and workers in these establishments is of utmost importance. Most people died due to suffocation as they ran towards the basement,” he said.
