A horrific cylinder explosion at a popular nightclub and restaurant in North Goa has claimed the lives of 23 people, leaving the state in shock. The tragedy struck Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora village in the early hours of the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.
Eyewitness Accounts of Panic and Destruction
Local residents described scenes of chaos and disbelief following the massive blast, which occurred at around 12:04 am. Arpora is located approximately 25 kilometers from the state capital, Panaji. One eyewitness, who lives nearby, recounted hearing a loud explosion while heading home. "Later, we saw ambulances arriving at the spot. When we reached the location, we saw that the incident had already occurred," the local told the ANI news agency.
A security guard stationed near the gate shared a similar account of the horror. "We heard a massive explosion. We later learned that the fire broke out after a cylinder blast," he said, highlighting the suddenness of the disaster that rocked the area.
Emergency Response and Official Statements
Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the scene to bring the raging fire under control. The injured were swiftly transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment. Authorities worked tirelessly through the night to stabilize the situation. The police chief later confirmed that the fire had been curtailed and all bodies had been recovered from the site.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the incident. In a post on social media platform X, he called the fire mishap "deeply saddening." The Prime Minister stated, "My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest." He also mentioned that he had spoken to Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant about the situation and affirmed that the state government was providing all possible assistance to those affected.
Call for Safety Audits in Wake of Tragedy
In the aftermath of the devastating blast, which killed three women and 20 men, BJP MLA Michael Lobo has called for immediate action. He has urged authorities to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of all clubs and similar establishments across Goa. This demand underscores growing concerns about safety protocols and regulatory compliance in the state's bustling hospitality and nightlife sector, aiming to prevent such a tragedy from recurring.
