Goa Nightclub Owners Flee to Thailand After Deadly Fire: Blue Corner Notice Likely to Be Issued

The Luthra brothers escaped to Phuket, Thailand just hours following the devastating Goa club fire incident.

According to sources, authorities are likely to issue a Blue Corner Notice against Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, owners of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, who fled to Thailand shortly after a catastrophic fire erupted at their establishment, resulting in 25 fatalities.

The Blue Corner Notice, part of Interpol's color-coded international request system, allows countries to share alerts globally. This particular notice serves to gather additional information regarding an individual's identity, location, or activities related to a criminal investigation.

Law enforcement officials are also searching for their third business partner, identified as Ajay Gupta.

The Sunday night musical event at the Goa nightclub turned fatal, with footage showing massive flames and smoke engulfing the venue. Additional video evidence captured a dancer performing to the popular Sholay song 'Mehbooba Mehbooba' when flames initially appeared on the ceiling. While investigators have not confirmed the exact cause of the inferno, reports suggest fireworks during a musical performance may have ignited the blaze.

Police have registered a case against the club owners and manager, including charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, negligence, and actions endangering safety.

The Bureau of Immigration at Mumbai airport discovered that the Luthra brothers departed for Phuket, Thailand on an IndiGo flight at 5:30 am Sunday, merely hours after the tragedy occurred. They were reportedly in Delhi when the incident took place.

Authorities have also issued a lookout circular targeting the two club proprietors.

Delhi and Goa police are conducting joint raids on safe houses and networks connected to the Luthra brothers.

To date, four nightclub staff members have been arrested, including the manager. Officials from various government departments responsible for issuing permits and licenses to the establishment have been called for questioning to investigate potential compliance failures and procedural violations.

In his first public statement since the catastrophe, Saurabh Luthra expressed that management was "deeply shaken" by the magnitude of the loss.

"The management expresses profound grief and is deeply shaken by the tragic loss of lives resulting from the unfortunate incident at Birch," he stated via Instagram.

Describing it as a moment of "irreparable sorrow and overwhelming distress," he affirmed that the nightclub stands "in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured" and conveyed condolences "with utmost sincerity."

Luthra further stated that management would provide complete cooperation to all affected individuals. "The management further affirms that it shall extend every possible form of assistance, support, and cooperation to the bereaved and affected individuals, as they navigate through this period of immense anguish and adversity," he wrote.