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Goa nightclub fire caused by cylinder blast, say police, tourists among 25 dead
Fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane, a party venue at Arpora village, 25 km from the state capital Panaji; the nightclub had opened last year.
At least 25 people were killed due to a fire at a nightclub in North Goa's Arpora village late on Saturday night, with most deaths occurring due to suffocation.
The victims included 14 staff members, and some tourists. The death toll was reported to be 23 at first, and has risen since.
Goa police chief Alok Kumar told PTI that the fire was caused by a blast from a cylinder.
The fire broke out at Birch by Romeo Lane, a popular party venue at Arpora village, around 25 km from the state capital Panaji, after midnight. The nightclub had opened last year.
Most of the dead were the club's kitchen workers, and included three women, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said. There were “three to four tourists” among those killed, he added.
CM Sawant told reporters that at least three people succumbed to burn injuries, and the others died due to suffocation. According to the initial information, the nightclub had not adhered to fire safety norms, the chief minister said.
“We will take action against the club management and also against the officials who allowed it to operate despite flouting safety norms,” Sawant said. “This is an unfortunate incident during the peak tourist season in the coastal state,” Sawant said. “We will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, and stringent action will be taken against the guilty,” the chief minister added.
According to the police, 23 bodies were recovered and sent to the government medical college at Bambolim. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities worked through the night to bring the situation under control.
PM Modi, CM Pramod Sawant condole deaths
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “deeply saddening” and said that he spoke to CM Pramod Sawant about the situation.
“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. Spoke to Goa CM Dr. Pramod Sawant Ji about the situation. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” he wrote on X.
In a post on X earlier, CM Sawant wrote, "Today is a very painful day for all of us in Goa... The investigation will examine the exact cause of the fire and whether fire safety norms and building rules were followed. Those found responsible will face the most stringent action under the law- any negligence will be dealt with firmly."
Authorities have begun a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire.
Officials said efforts are underway to provide medical support to the injured and assistance to the families of those who died.
