A horrific fire that erupted in a popular nightclub in North Goa late on Saturday night has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, with most of the victims being staff members working at the venue. The tragic incident occurred during the peak tourist season in the coastal state.
Cylinder Blast Triggers Deadly Inferno
According to Goa's police chief Alok Kumar, the devastating blaze was triggered by a cylinder blast inside the nightclub named Birch by Romeo Lane. The club, which opened just last year, is located in Arpora village, approximately 25 kilometers from the state capital, Panaji. Firefighters and police teams worked tirelessly through the night to recover the victims and secure the area.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited the site after the fire was brought under control, provided grim details. He stated that while three individuals died from burn injuries, the remaining victims appeared to have succumbed to suffocation. Initial information strongly suggests that the nightclub had not complied with essential fire safety norms.
Victims Were Predominantly Club Employees
"All the 23 bodies have been recovered," confirmed Police Chief Alok Kumar, emphasizing that the victims were almost entirely employees of the club. Chief Minister Sawant later clarified that among the deceased were three women. While early statements indicated no tourist casualties, Sawant later revised this, noting that "three to four tourists" were also among those killed in the tragedy.
All the bodies have been sent to the Goa Medical College in Bambolim for post-mortem examinations. Local MLA Michael Lobo, who was present at the scene, expressed his condolences and outlined the immediate administrative response.
Crackdown on Safety Violations Announced
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced stern action in the wake of the disaster. "We will take action against the club management and also against the officials who allowed it to operate despite flouting safety norms," he declared. He described the incident as "unfortunate," especially given its timing during the busy tourist season.
In a swift move, authorities have ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. Furthermore, a comprehensive fire safety audit of all clubs in the area is expected to commence shortly. MLA Michael Lobo stated that the Calangute panchayat would issue notices to all nightclubs on Monday, demanding they furnish valid fire safety permissions. He warned that licences of establishments found operating without necessary clearances would be cancelled.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over Goa's vibrant nightlife and raised serious questions about the enforcement of safety regulations in commercial establishments, prompting a state-wide reckoning on compliance and accountability.
