Deadly Goa Nightclub Fire Claims 25 Lives: Safety Violations and Government Negligence Exposed

Goa Nightclub Fire Update: A devastating midnight blaze at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in North Goa resulted in 25 fatalities, primarily due to suffocation.

In Panaji, a popular nightclub in North Goa transformed into a scene of tragedy when a massive fire erupted around midnight, claiming 25 lives including five tourists and exposing serious regulatory failures and official negligence in enforcing safety protocols.

Officials identified fireworks as the probable cause of the catastrophic fire at 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Arpora, located 25 kilometers from Panaji. Reports indicate the establishment allegedly operated without mandatory fire department clearance.

The incident left six people injured, with five currently receiving hospital treatment. Among the deceased were 20 nightclub employees and five tourists, four of whom were from Delhi.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant acknowledged that preliminary information suggested the nightclub had failed to implement required fire safety measures.

A senior fire brigade official explained that most victims died from suffocation after becoming trapped on the ground floor and in the kitchen areas.

Emergency response efforts were severely hampered by narrow access lanes, forcing water tankers to park approximately 400 meters from the scene, according to a senior Fire and Emergency Services officer speaking to PTI.

Fire brigade officials noted that small doorways and a narrow connecting bridge created significant escape challenges for those inside.

Police arrested the club's management team including Rajiv Modak (chief general manager), Vivek Singh (general manager), Rajiv Singhania (bar manager), and Riyanshu Thakur (gate manager). An FIR was registered against owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra along with event organizers.

The government suspended three senior officials, including the former Director of Panchayat, for their involvement in allowing the nightclub to commence operations in 2023 despite safety violations.

Chief Minister Sawant revealed that "electric firecrackers" ignited inside the venue at 11:45 pm Saturday, triggering the blaze. He directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to identify and take action against officials who permitted the club to operate despite safety regulation violations.

An investigative panel comprising the South Goa Collector, Deputy Director of Fire and Emergency Services, and Director of Forensic Laboratory has been formed with instructions to submit findings within a week.

The government announced compensation of Rs five lakh for families of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 for those injured, to be disbursed from State Disaster Management Authority Funds.

The 20 staff members who perished came from various states including Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Four were Nepalese nationals, according to government records.

Chief Minister Sawant assured that arrangements would be made to transport victims' remains to their respective hometowns.

The suspended officials were identified as Siddhi Tushar Harlankar (former Director of Panchayat), Dr. Shamila Monteiro (former Member Secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board), and Raghuvir Bagkar (former Secretary of Village Panchayat Arpora-Nagoa), all held accountable for authorizing the nightclub's operations in 2023.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah were among national leaders expressing condolences.

While police initially attributed the fire to a cylinder explosion, eyewitness accounts suggested it originated on the first floor where tourists were dancing.

Delhi tourist Riya, who survived the incident, reported that firecrackers were set off during a dance performance, potentially igniting the fire and creating "a stampede-like situation."

Another survivor, Fatima Shaikh from Hyderabad, told PTI that approximately 100 people were on the dance floor when the fire began, with many rushing downstairs to the kitchen where they became trapped alongside staff members.

Shaikh described how rapidly the entire structure became engulfed in flames, noting that temporary palm leaf construction elements contributed to the fire's quick spread through the packed weekend venue.

Police questioned Roshan Redkar, the Arpora-Nagoa panchayat sarpanch, who revealed an ongoing ownership dispute had previously resulted in complaints filed with the panchayat.

According to Redkar, premises inspection had determined the club lacked proper construction permits, leading to a demolition notice that was subsequently stayed by Directorate of Panchayats officials.

Grieving friends and relatives gathered outside Goa Medical College and Hospital's morgue anxiously seeking information about victims.

Goa BJP MLA Michael Lobo alleged the nightclub received licensing without proper documentation from local authorities.

Opposition parties criticized the state's BJP government following the tragedy. Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi described the incident on social media as "not just an accident; it is a criminal failure of safety and governance."

The AAP declared that the Sawant administration had lost its "moral right" to govern, while Congress demanded the Chief Minister's resignation. Congress Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare highlighted the club's lack of both fire department clearance and Excise Department permission for alcohol sales.

Chief Minister Sawant announced that preventative measures would be implemented, including audits of unauthorized clubs and high-capacity venues to prevent future tragedies.