Goa nightclub fire highlights: Victims identified, bodies being handed over to kin; 20 of staff, 5 tourists among dead

Goa nightclub fire highlights: The nightclub, which caught fire on early Sunday, is seen across an expanse of water in Arpora, in Goa.

Goa nightclub fire highlights: Dead bodies of those killed in the deadly nightclub fire at Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub are being handed over to their families at the Goa Medical College, according to reports. All 25 killed in the blaze have been identified and include 20 members of the hotel staff and five tourists.

Meanwhile, three officials have been arrested for issuing permission to the ill-fated nightclub in 2023. BJP MLA Michael Lobo also said the licence to Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora was issued without any documentation by the local panchayat. "I have come to know that the panchayat issued a license for a restaurant and night club on this premises in 2023. Licence should be based on some documentation which is not there. There was no provisional No Objection Certificate from the pollution control board. Fire licence was given directly," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant earlier announced an ex gratia relief of ₹5 lakh for the nightclub fire victims, while ₹50,000 each will be given to those injured in the deadly blaze. He also said that a panel has been formed to probe the fire incident and a report will be received within a week.

Earlier, manager of the nightclub and three other staffers were arrested on amid the ongoing probe in the deadly blaze. The police also booked owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, while Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar has also been detained.

The fire broke out post midnight on Sunday and killed least 25 people, while six others suffered injuries. The fire also triggered a political slugfest as the Congress demanded chief minister Pramod Sawant's resignation. The Goa unit of the Congress held the state government squarely responsible for the massive fire and demanded Sawant's resignation on moral and political grounds.

"We demand that the CM and all the ministers involved in giving permission resign immediately on moral and political grounds because 25 innocent people were killed. We also demand that the Governor immediately request the President to dismiss this Government because this is not the first incident. Rapes and murders are rising in Goa," Goa Congress chief Amit Patkar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The fire incident occurred at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora village, North Goa, situated approximately 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji. Out 25 deceased, 14 are said to be the staff of the nightclub, while some of the victims also include tourists.

Prime Minister Narendra and Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant expressed their anguish over the incident while the authorities launched an investigation into the matter.

Goa BJP MLA Michael Lobo said the firefighters and police were engaged in rescue efforts throughout the night.

Lobo added that officials would conduct a fire safety audit at similar venues to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

Goa nightclub fire: What we know so far

• Updating on the nightclub fire, chief minister Pramod Sawant said the probe suggests the blaze was caused by bursting of some electrical fire crackers inside the club.
• Government has announced an ex-gratia relief of ₹5 lakh for the kin of the deceased, while ₹50,000 each will be given to those injured in the fire.
• CM Sawant also said that most people died due to suffocation as the fire brigade personnel found 23 dead bodies in the basement of the nightclub.
• Manager of the club and three other staffers have been arrested, while owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra have been booked amid the ongoing probe in the deadly fire.
• The panchayat sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa, Roshan Redkar, was detained in connection with the fire incident. He was detained for issuing a trade license for the premises in 2023.
• The incident occurred around 12:04 am in the village of Arpora, the Goa police chief told reporters. At least 25 people have been killed in the blaze.
• The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, while authorities worked through the night to bring the situation under control, ANI reported.
• 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.