A devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, has claimed the lives of 25 people. Authorities have confirmed the identities of all victims, which include 20 staff members and five tourists. The tragedy occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday, prompting a swift response from firefighters and police.
Initial findings suggest that a gas cylinder blast may have triggered the blaze, although some witnesses claim the fire originated on the first floor, where approximately 100 tourists were present on the dance floor. Many individuals, in a state of panic, rushed towards the kitchen located downstairs, resulting in them becoming trapped alongside staff members. Preliminary investigations indicate that most victims died due to suffocation, particularly in the club's basement, which lacked adequate ventilation. At least three victims died from burn injuries.
Among the five tourists who perished in the fire, four were from Delhi, including three members of the same family. The fifth tourist was from Karnataka. The staff members who lost their lives hailed from various regions, including Uttarakhand, Nepal, Jharkhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident to determine the cause of the fire and identify those responsible. Sawant stated that the nightclub violated fire safety norms and promised stringent action against those found negligent. An arrest warrant has been issued against the club owners. The Chief General Manager, General Manager, Bar Manager, and Gate Manager have already been arrested. Additionally, three senior government officials have been suspended for their role in allowing the nightclub to operate in 2023. These officials include the then Director of Panchayat, the then Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, and the then Secretary of Village Panchayat Arpora-Nagoa. Police have also questioned the Sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat, who issued the trade license for the club.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would receive ₹50,000. The Goa government has also announced an ex-gratia relief of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Jharkhand government has ordered a safety audit of all bars, restaurants, hotels, and hospitals in the state. District authorities have been directed to submit a report within seven days. Similarly, a safety audit has been ordered for all clubs in Goa. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo stated that notices will be issued to all nightclubs, requiring them to provide fire safety permissions and licenses.
The Goa Congress has demanded Chief Minister Sawant's resignation, holding the government responsible for the tragedy. Rahul Gandhi called the incident a criminal failure of safety and governance, emphasizing the need for a thorough and transparent probe to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies.
