A devastating fire at a popular nightclub in Goa, India, has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, local authorities confirmed today. The majority of the victims are believed to be staff members, though tourists are also among the deceased.
The inferno, which swept through the Birch by Romeo Lane club in Arpora, North Goa, on Saturday at midnight local time, is suspected to have been caused by a gas cylinder explosion in the venue’s kitchen. The incident occurred in a bustling nightlife district along Baga beach, a renowned tourist hotspot.
Goa’s Director General of Police, Alok Kumar, stated that the fire “was mainly concentrated around the kitchen area on the ground floor” and that it “has now been brought under control.” He added that most bodies were discovered near the kitchen, “suggesting that the victims were employed at the club.”
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed journalists that three individuals succumbed to burn injuries, while others died from suffocation. He also noted that “three to four” tourists were among the fatalities, although their ages and nationalities have not yet been released. Millenium TV has learned that rescue operations continued into the early hours of Sunday, with crews meticulously searching the charred remains to ascertain the precise cause of the blaze.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described chaotic and horrifying scenes. One individual recounted being outside the club when screams erupted. “In a bit, it became clear that a massive fire had broken out. Nobody could do much. The scenes were just horrific,” the witness explained. Another chef from a nearby establishment expressed grave concern for colleagues who worked at the Birch club, stating that their phones were unreachable.
Heavy security remained at the site on Sunday morning, with the nightclub’s doors sealed and public access restricted. Millenium TV reporters observed what appeared to be charred and melted remnants of furniture and decor within the club’s interior.
Victims’ bodies have been transported to Goa Medical College in Panaji for identification and family notification. Chief Minister Sawant announced a formal inquiry into the fire’s origin, vowing stringent legal action against those found responsible. “Those found responsible will face most stringent action under the law – any negligence will be dealt with firmly,” he affirmed. He also extended his deepest sympathies, stating, “I am deeply grieved and offer my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families in this hour of unimaginable loss.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow in a social media post, calling the Goa fire “deeply saddening.” Goa, a former Portuguese colony on the Arabian Sea, draws millions of tourists annually with its vibrant nightlife, picturesque sandy beaches, and numerous resorts. Government data indicates that 5.5 million tourists visited Goa in the first half of the year, with 270,000 arriving from abroad.
This tragic event follows a series of deadly fires in Indian entertainment venues in recent years. In May, 17 people perished in a three-story building fire in Hyderabad, and 15 died in a Kolkata hotel blaze a month prior. Last year, 24 individuals lost their lives at an amusement park arcade in Gujarat after a temporary structure collapsed, a tragedy later attributed to poor safety standards.
© Millenium TV
