Grief turned to anguish outside the Goa Medical College and Hospital morgue on Sunday as families and friends of the 25 victims of the Arpora nightclub fire gathered, many of them migrant workers, seeking answers and closure. The deadly blaze at the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Arpora claimed the lives of 20 staff members and five tourists. The tragedy, which unfolded early Sunday morning, has prompted arrests and official inquiries, raising serious questions about safety standards in the coastal state.

With no management representatives present to offer support or information, the crowd's despair mixed with frustration. Many present had rushed to the hospital after working overnight shifts at other clubs in the area, a common practice for those employed in Goa's vibrant nightlife scene. These workers often hail from remote parts of the country, including Jharkhand and the North-East.

Identification of the bodies became a harrowing task, complicated by the fact that many of the deceased were far from their hometowns. Friends and relatives desperately matched photos shared via WhatsApp by the victims' families with the faces in the morgue. Some of those who came to identify the dead were brothers, nephews, cousins, or neighbors of the victims. Narayan Mahto, a Jharkhand native working in Agacaim, faced the grim task of identifying two brothers, his nephews, who had come to Goa seeking work just six months prior.

Adding to the distress, concerns arose about the logistics of transporting the bodies back to their families. Padam, a young man from Nepal working in Goa, echoed the sentiments of many, questioning how to arrange for the body of his friend to be sent home. The financial burden and logistical challenges of transporting the deceased across state lines or international borders weighed heavily on the mourners.

Initial investigations suggest the fire was triggered by electrical firecrackers. The blaze rapidly engulfed the nightclub, trapping many on the ground floor and leading to fatalities primarily from suffocation. The club's construction was reportedly unauthorized, and a demolition notice had been issued but stayed by a higher authority. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has vowed action against officials who allowed the club to operate despite safety violations.

Police have arrested four individuals, including the Chief General Manager, General Manager, Bar Manager, and Gate Manager of the nightclub. An FIR has also been registered against the owners, Saurav Luthra and Gaurav Luthra. The state government has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

The incident has sparked political outcry, with the Goa Congress demanding the Chief Minister's resignation, citing government responsibility for the tragedy. The party alleges that the fire is indicative of a larger pattern of rising crime and negligence in the state. The Jharkhand government has ordered a safety audit of all bars, restaurants, hotels, and hospitals in the state following the Goa tragedy.